Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear criticised referee Martin Atkinson after the 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Kinnear's team fell behind in the first half when Claudio Cacapa headed the ball against team-mate Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Johnson pounced on the loose ball to score.

Shola Ameobi equalised but Fulham went back in front when Danny Murphy scored a second half penalty after a foul by Coloccini on Johnson.

Kinnear said: "We finished the first half better and dominated the second. There was a blatant foul prior to the penalty, which the referee ignored.

"We were camped in their half. Cacapa was on the ball and Johnson completely pushes him out the way, nicks the ball and gets the penalty.

"We've got the Mickey Mouse referee doing nothing. He's made an error that cost us."

The defeat at Craven Cottage means Newcastle slip into the Premier League relegation zone while Fulham climb to tenth.

Kinnear added: "The same thing happened last week with a penalty against Man City.

"Later on it was proved it wasn't a penalty and we had a player sent off. That cost us points.

"It just doesn't stop but that's the standard of refereeing in this country.

"It happens week in, week out. There's always a smart answer like 'someone was obstructing my view'.

"You used to be able to have a bit of banter with referees and they'd put their hands up if they make mistakes. Now they hide."

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