Another brilliant night for Newcastle United as our record-breaking striker fired us into the top four in a 3-0 win over Wolves.
We’re above Chelsea and absolutely flying, showing the makings of a very strong side by winning comfortably without being at our best.
That’s now nine wins in nine – Howe is now just one victory away from setting a new club record – 26 goals scored in that period, just three conceded, the best striker on the planet, a defence transformed and a beautifully balanced midfield that continues to dominate every week.
Howe made nine changes from Sunday’s 3-1 win over Bromley, where Livramento, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Murphy, Gordon and Isak replacing Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett, Longstaff, Miley, Almiron, Barnes and Osula.
Illness kept Fabian Schar out, but it was good to see both Joe Willock and Emil Krafth both back in the squad, with Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron also present after reports of potential January exits.
Newcastle XI: Dubravka – Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Isak, Gordon. Subs: Odysseas, Krafth, Trippier, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley, Almiron, Osula.
Wolves started well and immediately looked to get on the front foot. We were a yard off the pace early doors and a little flat, with Joelinton sloppy and Bruno shrugged off the ball a few times.
Prior to our opener, most of our biggest openings came down Murphy’s side, having two powerful shots saved by and one wicked low cross only just scrambled clear.
Then, after a warning sign from Isak as the Swede struck the post, our free-scoring striker made Toon history. His effort on the half hour mark was heavily deflected to totally wrong foot Sa and hand us a 1-0 lead. That’s now goals in EIGHT consecutive Premier League games; a new club record to eclipse Alan Shearer and Joe Willock.
We suddenly had momentum, a zip to our play and were winning our 50-50s, with Burn and Botman bullying Larsen, Hall clicking into gear down our left and Tonali looking slick as he dictated play from deep.
That said, we could’ve conceded before the break. After Joelinton lashed over from the edge of the box, Larsen missed a good chance to make it 1-1. Hall’s slip allowed Gomes to gain a yard down the right and his cut back found the Norwegian, who could only hit the outside of the post.
Tonali had a half chance deflected just wide and Isak did well to ease Guedes off it at the other end from a well worked set piece, sending us into the break 1-0 up.
I was shocked to see Matheus Cunha on the Wolves bench now he’s back from a two-match ban, but the tricky Brazilian came on for the second half, giving the visitors that sprinkle of magic they’d lacked up top in the first 45.
However, despite showing glimpses after coming on, it was Newcastle who built on our lead and ran away with it. After Bruno almost set up Gordon to make it two, he finally got his assist with a lovely ball into Isak, who did the rest with minimal fuss, taking his tally to 15 for the season just before the hour mark.
Isak was involved again as we made it 3-0, squaring it for Gordon who swept home into the bottom corner for his fifth in our last six games. A long VAR check followed but it was given!
Changes followed as Howe brought on Almiron – it could be his last appearance as a return to Atlanta United edges closer – along with Willock, Osula, Miley and Trippier to give Isak, Murphy, Gordon, Livramento and Joelinton standing ovations and a few minutes rest.
In all honesty, Wolves were good value for a goal and may be wondering how they didn’t get one. Bueno thought he’d scored from a corner but VAR disallowed it, then we saw a brilliant save from Dubravka to push Larsen’s effort onto the bar and Sarabia hit a big chance straight at the Slovakian.
And that was that. A tricky start that quickly turned into a routine win without us reaching top gear, with Isak breaking a record, Gordon scoring again, Tonali delivering another relentless display and both centre-backs looking solid to make it just three goals conceded in our last nine. Botman looks like he’s never been away and Burn continues to be our unsung hero of the season.
Next up, Bournemouth at St James’ Park in Saturday’s early kick off before a trip to Southampton next weekend.
Howay the lads!
Nufc Not at their consistent best and still effective so the sign of a good team that they can win so well.
They were Very disconnected after the subs and I suspect trippier came on to calm them down.
Id suggest tonali was the standout but I’m biased as I rate him so highly.
Jonesy(Quote)
Well Olly predicted 3-1 and I suggested it wouldn’t be as comprehensive as that – he was nearly bang on.
While 3-0 looks straightforward on paper, I feel like we let them in a lot – it felt like Dubravka put more of a shift in last night that in recent games against ‘better’ sides – and he certainly stepped up by the way. He’s not playing like a lad about to move on – outstanding 👏🏼.
3 things really stood out for me last night – firstly, Bruno’s pass for Isaks second 🤯. There’s not many players would see that pass let alone be able to pull it off.
Secondly – Isak setting up Gordon. This is a player who’s on for his 2nd hat trick. But instead of only having eyes for goal he tried to play across to Gordon. When that is block he doesn’t think ‘right my turn’ – he holds on to the ball til Gordon takes up his position before playing a perfectly weighted pass.
Brilliant to see these boys playing for each other – especially when Isak has a real chance of the golden boot this season.
Anyone worried about Isak listening to the noise about him moving – that there was evidence he’s putting the team & his mates first.
Thirdly – and MOTD picked up on it too last night. Tonali took the ball into the corner & lost it – but sprinted back and won the ball back with only minutes to go. Outstanding work rate. That boy is some player!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
From the bbc comments section
70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. The rest is covered by Sandro Tonali.’
👊👊👊
Jonesy(Quote)
Looks like they stole it from us (we posted this on ‘X’ earlier this month!)
https://x.com/NUFCblogcouk/status/1876742869882458242
😛
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Wouldn’t know as I stopped using that reprehensible platform years ago.
Jonesy(Quote)
I’m banned from X
I’m actually quite proud of that.
kimtoon(Quote)