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Silva rues small margins as Fulham fall short of Europe

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Marco Silva reflected on a frustrating season for Fulham as their win at home to Newcastle United left them one point outside the European places in the Premier League.

Goals from Issa Diop and Tom Cairney gave Silva's side a 2-0 win on the final day, but they already knew they could not finish in the top eight.

Despite being just a point behind eighth-placed Brighton, who qualified for the Conference League, Fulham ended the campaign in the bottom half in 11th place.

Silva told club media the Newcastle win was "the best way" to conclude the campaign but could not help but look back over previous matches, making particular reference to a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth in their prior home game.

"At the end, you look at the season and [Fulham are] two or three points from the European places," Silva added. "It's so, so tight.

"Those margins play a big part always in football, in the Premier League, and they didn't come in our way.

"I'm telling the players always to, yes, be frustrated, be disappointed, but make those moments make you better in the future.

"The Premier League is so demanding that you have to make in the future those margins come in our direction. It's as simple as that."

Newcastle were in a similar position to Fulham having missed out on a return to Europe, and they were unable to lift themselves in a dismal display at Craven Cottage.

"I don't think we were where we needed to be today, mentally, physically," Magpies boss Eddie Howe said. "We're disappointed with the performance.

"We know we can play a lot better than that. It's a disappointing way to end the season."