After two and a half months without a win at St James’ Park, Newcastle United secured a much-needed victory over Wolves on a soaking afternoon on Tyneside.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored first-half goals at the Gallowgate to send us into the break 2-0 up before Tino Livramento rounded off the scoring after a brilliant run in stoppage time.
It was a much-needed improvement on midweek. We didn’t always dominate possession, but we found the balance in midfield to protect a previously exposed defence, our pressing was measured and our counter-attacking play was brilliant, with every goal coming from devastating breaks beyond Wolves’ midfield. After weeks of chaotic displays, it was good to seem more structure and discipline to our play.
The result sees us move up to 8th in the Premier League, leapfrogging Wolves and a Brighton side who were beaten 3-0 at Fulham. West Ham went 7th thanks to a flurry of late goals at Everton, but it’s been a hugely positive day for Eddie Howe, who will be delighted with the win, performance and welcome clean sheet; our first in our last 10.
Howe only made one change from our midweek win at Blackburn, seeing Sven Botman replace Jamaal Lascelles. Wolves were already without top scorers Hwang Hee Chan and Matheus Cunha, but suffered another pre-match blow as Joao Gomes – the tough-tackling midfielder nominated for Premier League player of the month for February – missed out entirely.
Wolves made a confident start, with Pedro Neto offering an early warning sign down Dan Burn’s side before Fabian Schar’s perfectly timed tackle stopped his dangerous burst into the box.
But, it was Newcastle who struck first, as a swift counter-attack saw Anthony Gordon carry the ball into the Wolves half and slip Bruno Guimaraes in down the left. The Brazilian’s shot across goal was deflected but fell into the path of Isak, who nodded past Sa for his 15th of the season, handing us a 1-0 lead on 14 minutes.
The visitors could and should have equalised just after the 20-minute mark, as Toti headed over a big chance at the back post. Again, however, it was us who made it count, as another quick break saw Willock feed Murphy down the right. His low cross caused havoc in the Wolves box and Gordon pounced on a real mix up between Sa and Kilman, allowing him to fire high into the net, making it double figures for the season for him and 2-0 Newcastle.
We saw out the first half comfortably and were handed another boost heading into the final 45, as Wolves lost Sa and Neto to injuries. Saying that, we were dealt a blow of our own five minutes into the restart as Trippier was unable to continue after going down off the ball, allowing Tino Livramento to come on.
Back to the action, some lovely link up play between Gordon and Burn almost saw Willock make it three, as his flying header from Burn’s cross was cleared off the line by Toti.
We were looking comfortable, but had Dubravka to thank after a Wolves counter ended with Nathan Fraser firing a low shot towards the far corner. The Slovakian did superbly to not only stop it, but palm it wide enough to make sure no old Gold shirt tapped in. Moments later, Tuesday’s shootout hero made another important stop to deny Sarabia’s back post effort.
Howe then made a timely triple change, seeing Barnes, Miley and Almiron replace Isak, Willock and Murphy, giving us another wave of energy and some fresh legs to hurt Wolves on the break.
We had been slightly sloppy in possession in the second half, but our endeavour was always there to win ball back, summed up by Gordon’s recovery run seconds after a misplaced pass.
Bruno then produced a moment of brilliance as his dinked pass after a Maradona spin found Miggy at the back post, only for Bentley to block his effort.
Wolves had a few half chances, but we tracked runners, got bodies behind the ball, made a few crucial blocks and saw Dubrabka claim a stoppage time corner to make sure of the three points a deserved clean sheet. That wasn’t the end of the action, however, as Livramento latched onto Schar’s lovely pass, carried the ball into the box and poked the ball over the line to become our 20th goalscorer of the season!
Bruno was back to his best in patches, Willock offered our midfield a totally new dynamic it’s sorely missed, Burn did little wrong despite one early scare, Botman was rock solid after his shocker last weekend, Schar was a joy to watch at times and Gordon was a constant thorn in their side, doing so much good work on and off the ball. Everyone played their part, with Howe’s subs and tweaked set up also making all the difference.
3-0 Newcastle and a goal for the Leazes End to enjoy, putting the cherry on top of a near-perfect afternoon at St James’ Park. Next up, a trip to Chelsea – who drew 2-2 at Brentford today – a week on Monday
STARTING XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Karius, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Almiron, Anderson, Miley.
Best Bench I’ve seen in a long time
PremAndUp(Quote)
I thought to a man they were much improved today & all played really well.
My man of the match today was Willock – I know Isak & Gordon will get the headlines for the goals but Willock brought something to our midfield we have been greatly lacking.
We played to our strengths today & what was pleasing was we could still improve on today’s performance imo.
So pleased for Howe coz I thought the nonsense around him having to answer questions about being replaced was so disrespectful.
Trippier is a bit of a concern – that’s the only down side to today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I love Miley, but I would have liked to have seen Anderson get a bit more game time today & come on for Willock instead of Miley. I think Anderson plays in a similar area on the left side of midfield to Willock & would have liked to see how he Barnes & Gordon might have linked up.
I thought Murphy played well in the first half but was a little bit wasteful on the ball in the 2nd half. I prefer him starting & Miggy coming on though.
Barnes I think will go on to be a very good player for us, but he just looks a little lost with his final decision with the ball – I think he’ll get better with game time and a couple of goals.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought Zaniolo at Villa was getting done for betting with Tonali?!! How’s he still playing for them?!?!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought so too… but he plays for Villa not the Toon… 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Re Zaniolo, i think it’s because he fessed up straight away and I believe he gave up others involved in betting so got a lesser ban.
kimtoon(Quote)
Or was it Nicolo Fagioli who got the reduction?, well it was one of them.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yeah I was wrong about Zaniolo but it looks as though Fagioli may have dropped Sandro in it .
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/italian-football-gambling-tonali-corona-31231096
Looks like this guy Corona dropped Fagioli in it who then did a deal for a lesser ban and then Sandro and Zaniolo were named.
Blimey it’s a right old carry on, lots more getting named.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – yeah that last scenario was what I thought happened – I just didn’t know names other the other lads.
I think from what I’ve found out since is that Tonali (knowing hed been grassed up) came forward & plead guilty & Zaniolo has gone the no comment route which might get him a longer ban if they can prove it in his case.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks Sharpy, it is a bit confusing who dropped who in it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Solid performance, Wolves missing a few big players but that’s been the case for us the whole season really. Finally some options from the bench and finally seeing the difference Willock can make to a static midfield.
Goals a bit scrappy but we know we have great players on the counter. Will be interesting to see if we revert to a more counter attacking style, and maybe it will work well like it did yesterday after everyone has seen us ship so many lately and seem to be coming at us more than they did at the start of the season.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – I really hope we do mate. I think with the player we have and playing 4-3-3 is really plays to our strengths.
When you look at the match stats they are in Wolves favour other than goals XG and the all important score line. But most importantly – we actually looked pretty comfortable yesterday. I know they are missing players but Dubravka was barely tested yesterday.
I’ve seen a few comments about the goals being, lucky or scrappy – I don’t agree with that.
The first was a controlled pass out of defence for Gordon to go on the counter – Bruno runs the length of the field to get his shot off & Isak was in the right place to put it away.
The second was an excellent early cross into the box. Some frantic defending by Wolves to keep Isak out & again Gordon was in the right place to slot it in.
The third again was a controlled pass out of defence with Tino having a clear run at their defence. Yes there was an element of fortune to the finish itself but it was brave & positive play to take their defenders on in the first – he got his rewards.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If I was Howe I’d be getting Elliot Anderson working with Willock – learning from him & becoming that similar midfielder to back up and compete with. I think he’s got the attributes to do it & in terms of squad depth it would make sense.
I know they’ve both been out a similar period of this season but going forward you’d hope that’s unlikely to be the case again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://sportwitness.co.uk/dan-ashworth-said-leading-manchester-united-interest-2-signings-newcastle-united-official-pushed-forward/
how is he allowed to do this??
icedog(Quote)
He’s not! I think it’s the press working their ticket again
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I wish they’d just get it resolved though. It’s been an embarrassing public courtship by Man Utd – much like most of player transfers.
If I was Ashworth I’d be wondering what they were waiting for now?! If they want me that badly then do what’s needed & let me come & get on with it …. BUT do they?!.
We’ve heard a lot from Gary Neville that Ashworth is the man HE thinks could take Man Utd forward – but have we heard it come from Man Utd themselves??.
As far as we’ve heard they are yet to make a formal offer for Ashworth – do Man Utd actually want him?!. You’d think so if he’s made NUFC aware he wants to leave – so then get on with it Man Utd, for everyone’s sakes.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – yeah mate we know we can play that way so why not, I can see why we needed to transition to being a more dominant team to help us take points against teams who would sit deep against us, but it felt like we tried to force that too much this season especially with the lack of options, now we’re seen as beatable (which we almost weren’t last season) then we can sit deeper ourselves and invite them on.
I wouldn’t say lucky and we definitely deserved the win, I guess my point was more we had a bit of fortune as to where the balls fell for us to finish, something we don’t seem to have had for a while, saying that the Murphy cross and Sa fumble was good to see, it’s nice to have a player who doesn’t play as predictably as Almiron will, we know if you stick the ball in mistakes can happen and all of our forwards have missed that type of service
Newkie(Quote)
Exactly, let’s get some decent compo for him and move on, his influence (on us) is overrated as far as I’m concerned, he obviously must have done a good job at Brighton but eh, they moved on quickly and so will we
Newkie(Quote)
Now that Ashworth has left Joelinton is going to sign a new contract.strange that eh
Icedog(Quote)
Newkie – Howe has proven that despite being inexperienced managing at this level – as in top end of the PL & going for European football & trophies (coz I know he’s managed in the PL but mostly relegation battles), he’s not out his depth – but he still has learning to do.
I think this season has been a tough one to learn from with all the injuries – but maybe there is learning around how these injuries happened.
Wolves may have been another lesson – if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
I think playing teams like Forest, Bmth, Luton in recent weeks has proven teams don’t fear us – we aren’t City or Liverpool & teams will come after us and trying to play keep ball & passing it sideways across our back 4 or backwards just invites teams on to us.
The players looked more comfortable on Saturday as well – enjoying playing that way.
Stick to what we know and there is every chance we get that 7th spot.
QFs in the Carabao Cup our only to penalties away to Chelsea.
QFs in the FA Cup away to City – if we go out there’s no disgrace – if we get through, who knows what happens 🤞🏼.
Group of death in the CL and but for an awful officiating performance could have progressed – with better game management should have defo made Europa.
Essentially what I’m trying to say is, despite all of the turbulence of this season, the final picture could still look very good – if we stick to what we know.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy completely agree.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, Amanda has stepped in to deal with Joelinton’s new contract.
kimtoon(Quote)
Takes a women to get things done you know😉
kimtoon(Quote)
True very true lol
icedog(Quote)
Kim – she’s the best thing to happen to our club in a very long time!!.
When you watch the documentary & see how integral she was in getting that Gordon deal done – imagine him not being in our team now 🤯.
In what is a male dominated industry & having to deal with those awful Saudis (tongue in cheek), not only does she have a voice but she’s also a very positive influence.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, she’s a bloody wonder mate, not sure how her illness impacts her daily life but I really admire her.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – she’s a mother & a wife first (like I’m a father & husband first) that should always be her primary role – whatever she can or does do for NUFC thereafter is making a huge difference to the success of our club and I’m grateful to her for it
Sharpy17(Quote)
“Our Cushy Butterfield”
She’s a bright lass and a bonny lass
and she has no fear!
And they call her Amanda Stavaley
and we’re glad that she’s here!
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag 😂 I want 50k Geordies chanting that in SJP before the end of the season mate 👌🏼😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy It would show we cared!
Fill in your own verses lol
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – I’m a Blaydon lad mate, there was a time you could have regularly found me in the Geordie Ridley pub – and occasionally running the Blaydon Races.
Cushie Butterfield was like a church hymn, in that everyone struggled with the verses but could pipe out the chorus loud & proud 😂.
Regarding Mandy – I’d like to think she knows how much the fans appreciate her & her gang.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy Yes I’m a real oldie and know all the old songs but I also think we should introduce some modern stuff to attract new supporters. We need to help sell our club to a wider market especially abroad, by showing what a happy fun loving and “united” club we are.
England did it with Sweet Caroline, Hibs in Scotland with Sunshine on Leith and others.
We could start with Barry Manilows’s Mandy (especially for Wor Lasses)
We do have some notable songwriters that are supporters too.
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – that’s should be easy mate. If you look at the lyrics to Cushie Butterfield they look more Arabic that English 😂.
I’m with you though mate. The tone at the moment is anger towards Ashworth but I’d far rather acknowledge the likes of Mandy, Jamie Rueben, Darren Eales – people who have came in and adopted our club with the best of intentions.
I can’t stand Hey Jude at the end of our matches (love the Beatles & the song by the way) it has nothing to do with NUFC – where’s Lindersfarne?! Where’s AC/DC?!.
My favourite moment at SJP is when Local Hero is played – it is every time!! The hair on the back of the neck & the lump in the throat – nowt I can do to stop it 🤷🏼♂️. That & coming home Newcastle, but mainly Local Hero.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy With you all the way on both counts Local Hero and Coming home Newcastle get me every time. Especially the latter as I have lived most of my life away from the north east.
I’d kiss the ground for the welcome sound of my mother saying hinny howay never fails too get me.
As for those in charge I have the greatest respect for what they have done in such a short time. How Mandy stuck it out for four years dealing with Ashley god knows. At the same time being a women dealing with middle eastern male dominated countries could not have been easy
Well never mind we will still have a go and find fault come the next defeat!!
Last but not least Big River Jimmy Nail being played on the first match was touching but that’s a bit of a hybrid song.
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – my Grandparents on my mam side lived Gerald St in Benwell & my Grandad & one of my uncles both worked at the Neptune – so Big River means alot to me too mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Really hope there is truth in these Neto rumours – he’d be an outstanding upgrade on Miggy & him one side, Gordon the other – wow!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I was born in Benwell. Traveled a lot all over the world, but now back living in Rowlands Gill, just a stones throw from Blaydon. 👍
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Neto would fit very well into our team! Hope it comes off
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I spent my 6 week hols down Rowlands Gill park mate. On our bikes, tennis rackets strapped to our backs & backpacks with tennis balls, rugby ball & footy – money for a chip butty from Maguires and I’ll see you at tea time ma 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Unsurprisingly I’m confused by all the transfer rumours.
Neto would strengthen the RW but is that a priority?
Ederson as an 8th CM, really?
Lloyd Kelly on a Free makes sense, he strengthens the Left side of the defence.
But the right side is a priority with no young RCB behind Schar.
The real priority is a striker or two to replace Wilson
And a GK or two to replace Dubravka and Karius assuming they leave.
PremAndUp(Quote)
icedog(Quote)