It wasn’t pretty but two stunning strikes from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes wrapped up Newcastle’s first three points at Molineux in the Premier League since the 2011/12 season.
10 points from 12 to start the season, up to 3rd and all without putting together a full 90-minute performance is a wonderful start to the season.
Newcastle started the game brightly and could’ve taken the lead after seven minutes through Jacob Murphy. Isak intelligently dropped deep to receive the ball in acres of space and quickly released Murphy whose shot was turned over the bar by Sam Johnstone.
The dominance in possession continued without creating too much until Anthony Gordon burst into life after 22 minutes. Receiving the ball on the left, he waltzed around two Wolves defenders and curled his shot against the far post. That was the end of the highlights from a black and white perspective.
That chance woke Wolves up and they started to gain the ascendancy in the midfield and grabbed control of the game after a strong start from our lads.
Wolves deservedly took the lead after 35 minutes following a blistering counter attack. Longstaff gave the ball away in the attacking third and Wolves quickly released Strand Larsen who had the beating of Burn for pace before squaring it for Lemina who swept it home at the far post.
Very poor goal to concede and there were some worrying defensive decisions made which ultimately led to the goal. Midfielders losing their runners, Livramento losing track of Lemina and Burn not covering himself in glory against Strand Larsen.
Rather than the goal spurring the Toon on, it was Wolves who should have doubled the lead through Lemina again as he found himself in acres of space through the middle. An attempted pass was poorly cleared by Burn right into Lemina’s path who scuffed his shot wide.
By this point, the half time whistle couldn’t come quick enough as Eddie Howe was frantically writing notes for his address to the team.
The way the team faded in the last 20 minute meant that changes at half time were inevitable and saw the introduction of Tonali, Barnes and Willock for Longstaff, Isak and Joelinton. Big Joe was on a booking and Isak suffered a nose issue where medics struggled to stop the bleeding.
Much like the first half, the Toon started the half well and had an early penalty shout rightly turned down for handball.
The awkward Strand Larsen rattled the frame of Pope’s goal in the 52nd minute before evading Dan Burn and forcing a sharp save down low by Pope in the 61st minute.
The overworked Pope was called into action again after 67 minutes when a direct ball over the top caught Lewis Hall out of position yet again. Clearly this is an area that opposition teams are looking to exploit. As good as Hall is in possession, he is still learning his craft defensively.
Yet again the introduction of Trippier coincided with a change in fortunes. A brief spell of sustained possession culminated in an equaliser from Fabian Schar whose 20 yard effort was deflected in off the head of Dawson. It was a great moment for Schar who no doubt wanted to atone for his needless red card against Southampton.
Five minutes later and Newcastle took the lead through a world class strike from Harvey Barnes. Picking the ball up on the left wing before cutting inside and curling a sublime strike past the outstretch Sam Johnstone. Another super sub appearance from Barnes surely has him in contention to start going forward.
🏹 Harvey Barnes scores goals.
— NUFCBlog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) September 15, 2024
Nick Pope ensured the three points came back to St James’ Park with a stunning fingertip save late on as Newcastle managed the eight minutes of injury time well and held on for a vital victory.
We’re far from the finished product but an undefeated start to the season and having real options off the bench bode well for the season ahead.
Howay the lads!
To follow on from the last article:
Prem – I agree mate. I think that’s why he’s starting with Gordon & Murphy.
I think he wants to develop Tino & Hall as the starting full backs – and I think Gordon & Murphy are more disciplined in getting back to help them out. I’m not saying Barnes doesn’t do it, I just think it’s something he needs to be more mindful of in his game.
I think Longstaff suits Bruno better at the mo & it’s still a work in progress having Bruno & Tonali in the same midfield – they take up the same positions & each demand the ball so get in each others way a little bit.
You could see that Tonali was making more forward runs & that’s a change to his game a bit imo.
I think we could have the flow we had last season sticking with the players we had last season – but Howe wants to bring in the younger players & they need real game time to learn & develop.
It ain’t pretty, but we are grinding out results & the performances can & will improve in time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nice birthday win for my lad, had his lucky toon top on, just as well.
kimtoon(Quote)
Baffled by the starting 11.
Good win today in a slightly weird game. in control like a few of the games before letting it slip and then wolves with a good goal on transition altho questionable from nufc that they went right upfield without difficulty
Two brilliant goals got the win and its good the team have that in them
Howe made some good changes especially at half time but it all went a bit flat before schar’s goal.
Wonderful finish from Barnes.
Not sure they deliberately went defensive in last 10 with Kelly as I thought howe looked to push hall into mf. Wolves a bit desperate by then and nufc could’ve got a couple more with better decision making.
3rd spot, undefeated and only 3 goals conceded. Good platform to build on
I would play tonali / guimaraes deeper and Gordon, Barnes and willock/ joelinton behind isak.
Jonesy(Quote)
A stunning fingertip save late!
io games(Quote)
Jonesy – he defo went defensive. Kelly came on saying 5 at the back so that’s not pushing Hall into midfield.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t know how we did it again but another win while playing rubbish for the majority of the match. Definitely went defensive in the last ten minutes or so. No idea where the hell 8 extra mins came from? We need to get ruthless and relentless. That’s what city do. As long as you attack, the other team must defend and cannot score against you. We don’t have that relentlessness yet.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Aye .. my bad wording by mentioning mf. But I did say defensive wasnt what howe ‘intended’.
I thought it was structure and a bit of steel he was after by bringing on Kelly as wolves were fully committed to all out attack and as noted elsewhere neither full back were secure defending while offering opportunities going forward. Going toe to toe with wolves was risky. Nufc would’ve drawn or lost that game last season and Howe was slaughtered including on here for not seeing out leading positions last season .. now he’s too defensive🤷♂️
It worked as nufc could’ve ( should’ve ??) scored again.
Jonesy(Quote)
If you attack other teams have to defend and can’t score?? That’s very flawed and you only have to rewatch wolves goal or nufc’s game against spurs or wolves ( last season) to see that’s not true and not being serial PL champs with a billion pound squad will help being relentless
Jonesy(Quote)
Jonesy – I get your point mate, and I’m sure you are right – I think that was Howes intent, and we went on to win the game so he wasn’t wrong 🤷🏼♂️.
I just think Osula could have given us a player that could have moved the play further up the field.
I’m not talking about counter attacks or offence being a form of defence. I mean a player to hit when we cleared our lines – a target man who can tussle with the CBs and maybe win a freekick or hold the ball up & play more on the halfway line rather than our final third.
With having to make the 3 changes at HT it limited what other changes he could make in the 2nd half.
But ultimately as I say, Howes decision won the game – and that’s why he’s being considered for England & im working nightshift tonight 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)