One 9/10, two 8s and a few 5s - Player ratings from Newcastle 1-0 Wolves

A massive and much-needed win for Newcastle United, as new signing Nick Woltemade scores to seal a 1-0 win over bottom of the table Wolves.

Here are our player ratings and comments on each player involved in today's victory at St James' Park:

Starting XI

Pope (7) - Needed to be alert early to avoid a disastrous start with a tremendous save. Was a lot busier early in the game than he would’ve expected and without his early stops we might not have won this one!

Trippier (5) - Looks like he’s lost a step, unfortunately. Offered very little in attack, was unusually sloppy trying to play out from the back and is beginning to be exposed in defence.

Schar (7.5) - Had his hands full with the physical presence of Arokodare but dealt with the threat well. Crucial interception stopped a certain goal for the Wolves striker in the first half.

Burn (7) - Exactly what we’ve come to expect from him, consistent and reliable. Won everything in the air and was tidy in possession.

Livramento (7) - Building up a good understanding with Barnes on the left and took up some good positions in attack. Would love to see him back at right back.

Guimaraes (6) - Gave away a silly free kick late on which could’ve been costly. He is a master of manipulating his body position to win relieving free kicks, although he was caught on the ball a few times. Not at his best, but bound to be tired after 90 minutes in Bolivia's high-altitude stadium in the early hours of Wednesday morning before another 90 today!

Tonali (8) - Unlucky not to score with a fizzing left foot drive that hit the post. Covered every blade of grass and rarely put a foot wrong. Looked back to form after the Leeds game and was putting out fires brilliantly late on while others faded.

Joelinton (6.5) - His deficiencies in possession are starting to become more noticeable alongside Bruno and Sandro but he makes up for it with his off the ball work. Solid start to the second half after a mixed first 45

Murphy (8) - Eventful! Missed a point blank effort which should’ve opened the scoring, fizzed one inches wide from distance, had a goal disallowed then set up the winning goal with a pinpoint cross. He’s a strikers dream to play with. Woltemade needs service and Murphy provides that.

Barnes (5.5) - Really looks like someone who needs a goal to get him up and running. Tries hard but the end product is lacking, as was his ability to beat a man. A flat display to sum up his slow start to the season.

Woltemade (9) - Not a bad introduction! Towering header that he made look easy to seal all three points in a game where he had few opportunities on goal. However, he also showed real glimpses of his impressive link up play when dropping deep, bringing others into play, protecting the ball well and handling the physicality of the league well against a few big Wolves centre-backs. A very encouraging start and there’s much more to come.

Subs:

Osula (5) - Given half an hour but barely had a touch. Gave a mouthful to Bruno right at the end when he was arguably in a better shooting position.

Willock (5.5) - Ran a lot but didn’t have any real influence on the game. Still doesn’t look like he’s quite got the trust back in his body as we haven’t seen his typically powerful ball carrying runs at all.

Elanga (NR) - On for the final 10 minutes.

Botman (NR) - Came on in added time to help see the game out.