Wolves 1-2 Newcastle: Two moments of magic send Toon up to 3rd!

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.

https://twitter.com/NUFCblogcouk/status/1835366057361424732

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!