Wolves 2-2 Newcastle: Tired Toon take a point as tough schedule catches up

A disappointing result after taking the lead on twice, but a point was probably all our performance deserved as we battled through fatigue against a Wolves side who caused us plenty of problems.

The result keeps us 6th on 17 points, missing a chance to momentarily overtake Aston Villa. There’ll be some feeling like we’ve dropped two points – which we have in some respects – but it could be seen as one gained given the injuries and fatigue running through a squad who gave everything against Borussia Dortmund just a few days ago.

That said, we’ll need to manage games better – busy schedule or not – after losing our lead in similar fashion at West Ham before the international break.

Howe made one change, seeing Callum Wilson replace the injured Alexander Isak, and it was a frantic first half, with Sean Longstaff dragging an early effort just wide after some good work from Joelinton. Kieran Trippier was struggling and had a pretty awful opening 45 minutes, with his passing way off as Wolves’ press and pace on the break caused us problems.

However, after Jose Sa failed to gather Anthony Gordon’s cross into the box, Callum Wilson stabbed home superbly at the second attempt to hand us a 1-0 lead on 22 minutes. His 44th league goal for the club, sending him behind only Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer in our top flight history.

Wolves had been threatening, with Neto, Cunha and Hwang all lively for the home side, who equalised on 36 minutes with a really soft goal to concede, as Lemina outmuscled Trippier and headed past Pope; who seemed to get caught in no man’s land from Neto’s corner.

It had been a slightly disjointed and frantic performance from us at this point, but we retook the lead just before the break after Fabian Schar – who was superb once again – went down from Hwang’s clumsy challenge. A lengthy VAR check followed, the decision stood and Wilson made it 2-1 from the spot. It wasn’t a good penalty and Sa got a big hand to it, but it trickled over the line.

Two goals out of nothing and plenty nearly moments at the other end for a bright Wolves, giving us plenty to think about going into the second 45, where we had to be better to hold onto all three points.

We came out of the break slowly and, aside from the odd counter, were on the back foot against a Wolves side who came out of the traps quickly. The home crowd were up and we needed to wake up, get our foot on the ball and disrupt the momentum they’d been building as we headed towards the final 20 minutes.

Physically, we looked out on our feet and our options on the bench were hardly inspiring. Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles went into the book and the equaliser we’d been fearing arrived for the hosts, as Hwang sat down Burn and finished past Pope; who should’ve caught a cross he opted to punch just 30 seconds before they scored. Another really poor goal to concede, even if it had been coming.

Howe reacted by bringing on Joe Willock for the tiring Miggy Almiron, with danger man Pedro Neto forced off five minutes later with a hamstring injury; a huge relief for a booked Dan Burn who struggled to cope with the Portuguese winger all night.

We had to find a second wave of energy, somehow, and enjoyed a rare spell of second half possession before Schar headed a big chance wide from Trippier’s deep cross. We’d regained some control and had a half-chance through Burn, who dragged a weak shot straight at Sa, but Wolves came back at us in the pouring rain before eight minutes of added time were signalled.

The home side had a desperate penalty appeal waved away and we had a flurry of corners scrambled clear, but couldn’t find a last-gasp winner and left with a draw. A sloppy performance, a rare stinker for Trippier and a reminder that our squad is looking extremely stretched (and tired) playing twice each week with so many injuries/suspensions, but we showed character in amongst the sloppy passes and poor defending to keep at it and respond to Hwang’s equaliser.

I also thought Joelinton looked much better than he has done in his last two since returning from injury, with Fabian Schar showing his class once again with some impeccably times tackles, mazy runs and a few incisive passes top midfielders would be proud of.

Next up, a Carabao Cup trip to Old Trafford before we take on Arsenal at St James’ Park this time next week.

STARTING XI: Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn, Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Wilson.

SUBS: Dubravka, Gillespie, Dummett, Ritchie, Targett, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Willock.