A well deserved win for Newcastle United and first goal at St James’ Park for Chris Wood, who scored a second half penalty to seal a 1-0 victory over Wolves on Friday night.
The result ends our run of three-straight defeats, sending us up to 14th, just three points away from the top half and 10 clear of the bottom three ahead of upcoming games against Leicester, Crystal Palace and Norwich.
We were comfortably the better side in the opening 45 minutes, catching them on the ball high up the pitch, enjoying more possession and having a Wood ‘goal’ disallowed after Guimaraes was ruled offside, but we didn’t do enough in the final third to punish an off the boil Wolves side who looked there for the taking early on.
Thankfully, we defended well in the second half as Wolves threw more at us and found that all important break through in the 72nd minute, with Wood bagging his first goal at St James’ Park from the spot after being brought down by Sa.
Bruno Guimaraes was the best player on the pitch and deserved to be on the winning side more than any other player in a black and white shirt tonight, showing his composure, class and all-round awareness in an all-action performance in the middle of the park.
Eddie Howe made two changes from the side that lost heavily last weekend, seeing Bruno Guimaraes and Emil Krafth replace Joe Willock and Javier Manquillo – meaning our £35m Brazilian made his first start since sealing a January move from Lyon.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey (c), Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Darlow, Dummett, Lascelles, Manquillo, Ritchie, Longstaff, Murphy, Almiron, Gayle.
The crowd were in good voice under the lights at St James’ Park and the players also looked up for it from the off, passing the ball around confidentially in the early stages and pressing well as Wolves looked happy to sit deep and hit on the counter.
Sadly, we were dealt a cruel blow on the 10-minute mark, as Ryan Fraser was forced early after pulling his hamstring. He tried to continue but was soon replaced by Miguel Almiron – and looked visibly devastated to have suffered what looks like an injury that’ll keep him out for at least a few weeks.
Wolves were barely getting out their own half, so the emphasis was on us to move the ball quickly and break them down. We were comfortably the better side as we reached the 20-minute mark and had our first real sight of goal when Almiron latched on to a clever ball in behind from Schar, but the Paraguayan couldn’t keep his shot down.
That was the one criticism midway through the first half. We’d enjoyed 62% possession but hadn’t managed an effort on target for all our positive approach play.
That changed when a brilliant flick from Almiron got put Guimaraes in down the right. He then fired a ball across the box, Wolves failed to clear and Wood poked home. The crowd went wild and the big Kiwi thought he’d bagged his first goal at St James’ Park, yet VAR replays showed Bruno was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.
That was a wake-up call for Wolves. They’d started pretty awfully – giving the ball away in an awful position for Wood’s ‘goal’ and sitting very deep – so were ordered to push up by Bruno Lage in a bid to impose themselves on the game. But that didn’t last long as they soon reverted to being camped in their own half.
A lovely one-two between Joelinton and Targett got the big man in down the left just before the 40-minute mark, however the Brazilian’s cross was well cut out and Wolves cleared.
Shelvey then released Almiron down the right with a lovely ball around the corner, but Miggy’s left-footed effort was blocked after he cut inside. Another half chance that wasn’t fully capitalised on came just before the break, as Schar took the free-kick he did well to win but struck the wall.
It was a solid first half where we’d completely controlled the game, enjoying more of the ball, robbing the visitors of possession high up the pitch and barely allowing Wolves anyone near Dubravka’s goal. However, our lack of cutting edge in the final third, poor decision making and limited movement had to improve heading into the final 45 minutes, with us failing to register a single shot on target so far.
Guimaraes stood out a millions miles at times with his work on and off the ball, but Shelvey and Joelinton needed to offer a little bit more. Dare I say it, we were missing Joe Willock’s driving runs and late arrival into the box; something that could’ve also created space for the tightly-marked Allan Saint-Maximin.
Wolves had clearly been given a good talking to at half-time and came out with more attacking intent. Forcing their first corner of the game soon after the restart.
Our first shot on target then arrived five minutes later as Wood flicked on a long ball into Dan Burn’s path. The Geordie giant took it first time and did well to keep his effort down, but it was too close to Jose Sa and comfortably saved.
That chance aside, we’d come out slowly and were second best in the early stages. We weren’t controlling the game like we had done in the first 45 and almost went 1-0 down after an erratic piece of defending from Fabian Schar helped Hwang get in down the left.
Thankfully, the South Korean’s shot was well blocked by Krafth, but Schar was caught out again moments later, receiving the first yellow card of the game after bringing down Fabio Silva cynically.
We needed to wake up, with another warning sign arriving just before the hour mark when Moutinho flashed a wicked ball across the box after Almiron lost flight of a diagonal pass down Wolves’ left.
Frustrations then grew a few minutes later, as Allan Saint-Maximin overhit a simple pass just moments after blazing over the bar, but the crowd soon belted out “who’s that team we call united” to give the players a much needed boost with half an hour to play.
Our next opening saw Bruno Guimaraes find himself in space down the right with plenty to pick out in the box. His ball across goal fell to Saint-Maximin, however the Frenchman’s finish was erratic once again, seeing him blast way over to leave heads in hands at the Gallowgate.
ASM then got in behind himself after beating the offside trap, but his cross-come-shot evaded Chris Wood. Another moment we failed to capitalise on, yet we were handed a huge chance to take the lead when a quick counter-attack saw Joelinton put Wood clean through – only for the former Burnley man to be brought down in the box by Sa!
Penalty to Newcastle and a chance Wood was NOT going to pass up after having one chalked off early in the game, as he sent Sa the wrong way to score his first goal at St James’ Park in front of the Gallowgate! 1-0 Newcastle.
It was almost 2-0 moments later when some lovely hold up play from Wood released Saint-Maximin down the left. Maxi cut inside, got his head up and shifted it to Bruno inside the box, but the Brazilian’s shot deflected just wide of the far post.
St James’ Park was rocking and there was a genuine feeling around the ground that this was our chance to all but secure our Premier League status, knowing a win here would send us 10 clear of the bottom three.
However, with Wolves still pursuing Europe and a win away from the top six, they came back at us in the final 15 minutes, starting with a Fabio Silva header that the young striker should’ve done much better with.
Silva then mustered up a much better effort seconds later, this time forcing Dubravka into a brilliant near post save that the Slovakian did well to get down to before a tame effort from Jonny was hit straight at the NUFC stopper from range.
Bruno Guimaraes – who had been comfortably the best player on the pitch – then went off to a standing ovation just before four minutes of stoppage time was signalled, seeing Sean Longstaff come on in his place.
After a Saint-Maximin break away saw him fire a low shot at Sa, Dubravka then came up trumps again by collecting a high ball into the box with little over 60 seconds left to play.
Jacob Murphy then came on for the Frenchman in the final moments of the match and the full-time whistle followed, signalling another huge win at St James’ Park for Newcastle United. – sending us 10 clear of the drop zone and the whole of St James’ Park home happy!
Next up, a meeting with Leicester City next Sunday.
Get in! HWTL.
I’d be happy with a draw against both Leicester & Palace to be fair. Both are playing really well & those 2 points would be safety ??♂️. Equally happy with a win & lost from either – also safety ??.
Win both and I think we have to be looking at a top half finish this season – which would be ridiculous when you consider where we were when Howe came in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The Ref for Leicester is the Aussie Jarrod Gillett. He is not old and slow like Mike Dean and Fat Boy Moss but he does get in the way a lot and is pretty **** overall. If I was rating him on a scale of 1 to 10 I would give him a 2 from what I have seen.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Gillett is another in a long line of the PL appointed Refs who are being served fillet mignon for breakfast and produce a liver sandwich on the pitch. They get paid more than 100k a year.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
He’s the best a man can get!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lots of talk about our transfer budget again being 60-80m.
I’ve never cared how much we spend, only that we get the right players in for the manager – whether that be a free transfer, loan deal or for a fee. I think Targett is a good example of the loan deals working, and Dubravka before him. Fraser has been a decent return for a freebie – Hendrick not so much ??♂️.
I’d be a lot happier if Dan Ashworth was in place to see us through that window though. I think 60-80m is going down the conservative route, and I have no issues with that. But then you need the people in place to ensure we are doing the best business. It feels like we are about to wing it a bit in the summer, and that’s not good foundations really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
You don’t sell the project to Trippier and Bruno with ‘we are not aiming for europe next season’ Our target is clearly top 6 or better.
Since Eddie Howe took over our results would put us in top 10 over a season with squad we have.
We are not strengthening to stand still.
We clearly need LB sorting, a CB or 2, attacking midfield options and a striker.
we can afford one of them according to the papers so the rest has to be frees and loans.
Utter garbage
PremAndUp(Quote)
Why would our budget be that low? A good striker would be more than that. That’s less than an Ashley budget.
georgio(Quote)
Prem, mate. we will buy a striker for 75 million. Probably Darwin Nunez who will have been naturally selected to help the evolution of the club to the top 6.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Can’t believe Burnley sack Dyche. That’s a disgrace!!. That bloke has kept them afloat for years with little to no spends at all!!. Even in Jan when they sold Wood they turned a profit.
I’m a huge fan of Dyche & the way he conducts himself – now he’s been sh@t on by Burnley I hope they go down – and they won’t be back for a long time imo.
Ben Mee & Tarkowski leave for free in the summer & have been huge players for them.
Dyche will manage again in the PL next season. Burnley won’t be back for a long time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem – depends how you look at it though mate. There are some good free CBs this summer, likewise midfielders & attacking midfielders.
I know a lot has been said about Nunez, but if I’m honest I don’t think we stand a chance landing him. He’s been excellent in the CL and is smashing goals in for fun. He will end up at a bigger club – or one that can offer European footy next season.
I think the plan is to build slowly over the next 3 years rather than all in next season. But you look at the fact City & Lpool are in CL semis and WH & Leicester are in Europa semis – Chelsea just missed out, Spurs will be better next season, you expect Man Utd will push on & who knows about Arsenal ??♂️.
I don’t think it’s going to be as easy to break into that top 6 as just getting 5 or 6 better players in.
I also think it’s benefit us bringing in players with PL experience – and think we should continue with that. Not all additions, but certainly 2 or 3 – I’m thinking the likes of Henderson & Lingard as immediate obvious suggestions. Lingard free & Henderson as a loan to buy.
I think he fancies Ekitike who may cost around £30m.
To cover Prems positions – Targett for £15m, Dreynar free, Lingard free & Ekitike £30m.
I’d go Henderson loan to buy as well. That’s only £45m on fees so would leave £35m (based on £80m budget) plus player sales – so we could get more in … but that’s why we need Ashworth imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
My only concern is with Lingard and the success WHU have had this season – I probably see him going back there if I’m honest.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I like the idea of signing young Brennan Johnson from Forest & Diaz is available on a free from Bburn this summer – he’s been smashing goals in as well – he’d be a good back up to Wilson or Wood imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Happy Easter folks! Surprised to see Dyche sacked after 10 years at Burnley! Cannot image who would come in at this stage and change things for them!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I noticed Burnley waited til Pardew got another job somewhere else before sacking Dyche as well ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
They could have bought out Bruce’s contract at WBA. Ugly John Carver would probably only cost a tenner to buy his contract out as well. Joe Kinnear? Shearer is probably on a good deal at the BBC but McClaren would be relatively cheap. Rafa! He has sort of fcd up and was vasty overrated at NUFC.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Yep reckon Burnley dropped a b*%%*£k there sacking him, so much for loyalty eh. How many times has he got them out the **** on a tight budget.
They have an easier run in than the toffees too, could easily have overtaken them, not now Dyche is gone.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Eric – fat Sam is favourite and believe it or not Rafa is on the shortlist apparently.
The media are claiming Dyche is this one trick pony with his 4-4-2 but I think that was kind of forced on him based on his squad at Burnley.
I think if he got an Everton or Palace for example, he’d achieve a lot more. It may not be sexy football but it would be affective – similar to what Lage is doing at Wolves I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – I wonder it he’s been too honest in a meeting with one of the owners. He’s not a shy bloke with his opinions & I wonder if he’s said something that has offended or upset one of them – coz the timing just seems random. Usually it’s straight after a defeat, not midweek getting ready for a game.
I wonder if he’s gone asking them to sort out Ben Mee and James Trakowskis contracts to keep them next season & they’ve been reluctant – he’s replied with ‘well done think I can keep you up next season without them’ or something like that.
It’s the type of decision I’d expect from Watford, not Burnley.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, you could be on to something there mate, it’s just so odd to me.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I said earlier that this team for Sun is easy but I am not sure if it will be Miggy or Murphy. I was leaning towards Miggy. I am 100% sure of the other 10. So:
Dubs
Krafth Schar BDB Targett
Shelvey Bruno Big Joe
Miggy Wood ASM
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am getting seriously worried now as 2 of the 3 stooges have us winning against Leicester. I was sure they would all bottle it and go 1-1, but:
Lauro 2-1
Owen 1-0
Merse 2-2
I am putting my Mystic Mag headscarf on and saying 3-1 the Toon.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Spurs!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Raineri, Benitez and dyche all given the chop after losing to Norwich.
Norwich now changing strip to black and replacing canary logo with a scythe
Burnley sacking dyche is odd at best and seems to have caught even the media-snides off guard.
Who they appoint should indicate if they’re accepting or still fighting against relegation. Hopefully not Allardyce as the EPL doesn’t need him back.
not sure it makes a difference to nufc as it’ll take at least two below us to go in winning runs which seems unlikely.
Still, we could and should put it beyond doubt starting with a win this weekend. 2-0
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Well, City proper out of sorts and their goalie probs wants the ground to open and swallow him up, poor sod.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Liverpool 3-0 up against city. Horrendous goalie error for the second! ??.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
OOOhhh. Timmy the hoof makes a big mistake to let Man U go ahead. Norwich have been the better team 2nd half.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
That’s it then. Norwich and Watford lose and I think they are down now.
We probably need 1 more point to be sure of safety and there is no way we will lose the next 7. That just doesnt happen.
So despite Bruce’s luck running out, as we all knew it would, we will be safe.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A bit squeaky *** there at the end but Liverpool win 3-2. Good match to watch.
Gilly Toon(Quote)