Afternoon fit for a King at Fulham as Josh prepares for England duty

Josh King had a mixed afternoon for Fulham against Newcastle a day after receiving his first England call-up.

The 19-year-old was rewarded for his bright start to the season with a place in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, and he appeared determined to impress at Craven Cottage.

It could have been the perfect fairytale. A brilliantly hit volley from 20 yards the fizzed through the west London mist needed to be turned away by two strong hands from goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.

A much simpler chance should have led to a goal for Fulham on the stroke of half-time, King heading Alex Iwobi’s cross wide unmarked with the goal at his mercy.

He was substituted late on, with Alvaro Arbeloa saying it looked like “nothing serious” and that he expected the teenager would still be available to join up with Tuchel’s squad.

Fulham had to settle for point, earned when Rodrigo Muniz scrambled home to equalise after Jacob Murphy’s rocket for Newcastle.