Goals from Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Perez, Fabian Schar and Salomon Rondon saw Newcastle record an easy victory at Craven Cottage.

Fulham manager Scott Parker has a big rebuilding job over the summer as they prepare for life in the Championship and one suspects a lot of changes will be made to the squad.

One can imagine that it might be the last time the Cottagers see Aleksandar Mitrovic and wonder kid Ryan Sessegnon in their colours.

The stability that Rafael Benitez has given Newcastle since taking them back to the Premier League is highlighted by the woes that his opponents have had this season.

The cloud for Newcastle is whether the Spaniard will still be there next season. His side’s have a remarkable resilience and flair and it would be no surprise to see a big side call.

Much was made about Fulham’s possession football and the £100 million they spent last summer but, in the end, the season has been a disaster – three mangers, an early relegation and a woeful defensive record.

Fulham’s woes were highlighted after a bright start when Jonjo Shelvey’s scorching effort on eight minutes put Newcastle in front. The ball was played from a corner across the area and Shelvey had time to compose himself on the edge of the box before firing the ball into the top corner. The Fulham defence just stood and watched.

Two minutes later and the Newcastle doubled their lead. The in-form Perez was quickest to react after Sergio Rico parried Mohamed Diame’s effort. 

Fulham had a lot of possession but were toothless in the sunshine, so it was little surprise when on the 60th minute a Matt Ritchie corner was met by the head of Schar to extend Newcastle’s lead further. 

The salt was rubbed into the wound in the 90th minute when the on-loan Rondon completed his fine season at Newcastle with his 11th goal of the season. And it was the result that Fulham and Newcastle’s season deserved.