Newcastle got back into the winning column with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wolves at St. James’ Park. It was a difficult feat but the losing skid comes to an end with a critical win.
Newcastle played in the 4-3-3 with Pope in goal behind Trippier, Schar, Botman, and Burn. The midfielders were Guimaraes, Longstaff, and Willock. Isak played up front alongside Murphy and Saint-Maximin.
The match started brightly with both teams getting up the pitch. Newcastle had the bulk of possession but neither side was able to get any shot away in the opening stages of the game.
In the 20th minute, Newcastle escaped a disaster. Botman rolled the ball back to Pope on the edge of the box but a loose touch was pounced on by Raul Jiminez. The two players brushed shoulders with Jiminez dropping to the turf. A VAR check ruled confirmed it was not a penalty.
Newcastle took the lead in the 26th minute. A sweeping free-kick from Trippier was met by Isak in the middle of the box. The Swede headed the ball toward the far corner just past the outstretched palm of Jose Sa to make it 1-0.
The bar prevented a 2-0 lead in the 35th minute with Newcastle piling the pressure on Wolves. Trippier’s corner was pulled back by Burn at the far post. Guimaraes nodded the ball off the bar as Wolves escaped.
Howe didn’t make any changes as Newcastle came out for the second half with a slim 1-0 advantage. Wolves, who swapped out Adama Traore for Pedro Neto, started the half on the front foot but were limited to two shots from distance.
The match became a high-octane affair with both clubs having promising forays into the opposition’s end. Wolves saw much more of the ball while failing to create clear-cut chances other than a flashed shot from Moutinho that Pope did well to parry away in the 63rd minute.
Howe went to the bench in the 68th minute with Isak and Saint-Maximin being withdrawn for Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron. Murphy jumped over the left flank with Miggy taking up duties on the right.
It was a Wolves substitute to make the instant impact. Hwang Hee-Chan, who had just come on, rolled the ball into the goal to make it 1-1 in the 70th minute. Pope came out as Trippier slipped trying to clear the ball leaving an open net for the Wolves attacker.
The Magpies retook the lead in the 79th minute through Almiron. On a break, Longstaff found the Paraguayan down the right. He played a one-two with Willock before his deflected shot from a tight angle found the top corner.
Matt Ritchie made his entrance in the 85th minute for Murphy. Newcastle created a great move from a corner in stoppage time with the ball ending up at Botman’s feet. The Dutchman put his shot just wide of the near post.
Newcastle were able to see out the match and secure the points. They move to fifth in the table with matches in hand on the clubs around them. There are still plenty of kinks to iron out but the lads got the job done this evening.
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251 comments so far
The Taco Taker
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:35 PM
Comment #81“much reduced coverage” on MOTD2 tonight.
Shouldnt that actually be “more coverage and less waffle”?
I was out so missed MOTD yesterday, what happened were the game highlights longer without any presenters or did they just make the show shorter?
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Comment #82CF,
I hope that’s him starting every game now, could we finally get to see him and Wilson start.
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:39 PM
Comment #83Anyone have a video of that ball boy controlling the ball? Can’t watch skysport’s one due to country restrictions.
coming home
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:39 PM
Comment #84Raj
I’m not sure calling Mr Tuff an old perv while asking him to stop the insults will actually work
Davas
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:41 PM
Comment #85Pity Miggy didn’t have an assist to go with his goal
catchy in norway
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:42 PM
Comment #86I voted for Isak.
But I’m surprised Murphy only has one vote and ASM has 10.
Murphy was definitely one of our better players tonight, the player should have seen red for bringing him down
magscar
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:43 PM
Comment #87carltoon
Thanks – see you’re in sunny climes – enjoy and bring back some Spring weather with you
coming home
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:43 PM
Comment #88Murphy had a good slid game 7/10 minimum
coming home
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:44 PM
Comment #89Solid
IrishRob
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:45 PM
Comment #90Ty21 it really wasn’t that impressive, it looked more like fluke control than anything. I think they were just encouraging him and saying it was a great touch because he’s a little kid tbh lol
CLINT FLICK
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:46 PM
Comment #91Raj
He was a breath of fresh air…or what?
Please, just play him ’til he breaks from now.
Can’t wait to see him and AG!
😉
CLINT FLICK
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:49 PM
Comment #92Raj
Him and wilson could really work.
A lot more balls into the box, first half in particular. Sometimes it was Isak putting them there. As a striker, he knows where.
Cal coulda been on the end of them.
It’s coming together, we’ve nearly got a squad!
😀
CLINT FLICK
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:50 PM
Comment #93CH
Aye, Murphy was canny!
magscar
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:51 PM
Comment #94As to MOTD i’ve not been a regular watcher for years and if i do it’s usually Iplayer job
However those who are celebrating the enforced punditless programme as an improvement may soon find the stark alternative just too stark umless BBC can unpaint themselves out of that corner – a brief watch of last night did nothing to make me want to stick it out
winking emoji ( I can’t remember how to make one as it’s been over a year since i posted)
coming home
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
Comment #95Munster
Reading back it was me who said sinktheboats and I should apologise for that as its out of order
But I’m not apologising to you you thick cnut I’m apologising to any genuine asylum seekers who may or may not of been on the boat I would of sunk
Toon_Barmy
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
Comment #96Pope’s got to learn very quickly that 2 wrongs don’t make a right and if he f’s up in the first instance then getting sent off isn’t going to make the situation better
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM
Comment #97IrishRob
Ah, ok
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
Comment #98@Catchy
The commentators mentioned Murphy in the first half after he had created a chance that he is a much better player he himself thinks he is and Howe with his team think the same
All about confidence and self belief same as it has been with a lot of our players under Howe
Gosforthlad
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
Comment #99Just back from match,
Thought we were great first half should maybe been a couple up
2nd half was a mixed bag, thought Pope fouled there player from where I was sitting in the leazes and was waiting for them to get a penalty, lucky to get away with it imo.
Thought we should have had a penalty when player was clearly pushed in the box.
Hope the guy that was taken out on a stretcher is ok fair play to wolves players and their medical team for assisting seemed to take an age to get help.
3points was all that mattered today hopefully this gives all the boys a boost and we go on another run.
Toon fans bad
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
Comment #100The ref was too far away to make a clear and obvious error in his decision making on this scenario. Pope would have had to chin Jiminez or karate kick him for VAR to intervene!
VAR man has to decide if the REF has made a total blunder. The ref was at distance and saw a coming together of bodies so no clear and obvious error.
Then the VAR looks at the incident itself for dangerous play, violent conduct etc.
It has to be looked at from the ref’s POV.
Not like us looking at it on replays where’s it’s a proper red 😆
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
Comment #101Ball boys tend to be young players. No fluke that take down and control. IMHO
Probably best ball control all night.
magscar
Mar 12, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Comment #102I may be wrong but i think that was one of ( if not the first ) few times that Eddie has made unenforced changes
We do have a limited squad but much as I still highly rate Eddie i’ve been longing for him to use that squad more often – resting and picking other players for certain games/opposition isn’t dropping players or showing lack of loyalty
Minor quibble but glad too see his changes work today
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Comment #103IrishRob
Found it, actually not a bad touch for his age, considering the height and speed of the ball is falling.
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/11pk5kl/fantastic_touch_by_the_newcastle_ball_boy_v_wolves/
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Comment #104Anybody want to repeat that Isak is useless? Just asking, for a Pug.
The Taco Taker
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:02 PM
Comment #105Wow so I just checked my recordings and see that MOTD was only 25 mins long rather than usual 1hr 25 mins. Why don’t they just show longer highlights and doe sthis mean that in a normal show there is actually only 25 mins of footy action and the re other hour of the show is just replays waffle and analysis?
lochinvar
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:02 PM
Comment #106Wolves planned for Miggy and by the time he came on had forgotten what the plan was.
Well done Eddie for mixing it up.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Comment #107Pope-7 a miss control that nearly cost a pen, some quality saves tho.
Trippier-6.5 shoulda left it to Pope, great assist tho.
Botman-8 great player, pity he didn’t notch.
Schär-7.5 got caught a couple of times on the ball. But defended well.
Burn-7.5 did what he had to.
Sean-7.5 was everywhere in the Jo role.
Water carrier!
Bruno-7.5 generally great play, slightly off pace.
Murphy-7.5 great outlet, very direct, put some good balls in first half, hacked down on a run.
Maxi-7 lot more industrious, but man, release the ball when someone’s in a great position.
Joe-8 great play, got everywhere, tackles back, stays cool, great vision.
Isak-9 MVP superb headed goal, got stuck in, skills, mobility, scared the crap out of them.
Miggy-8 match winner, sweet skills, industry, total bright spark!
Cal-6 didn’t get to show a lot.
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:04 PM
Comment #108Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Even during Bruce’s days, I always thought Murphy is the most direct player if you want to get a goal. He will either run straight at goal, cross or shoot on sight.
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM
Comment #109lochinvar
Exactly my reasoning why Miggy have the most important role in the team, while being a unglamarous sub. Either to press and close the game from a winning position or get a goal with his determination to salvage points.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:10 PM
Comment #110Ty
Yes mate.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM
Comment #111Taco
You know how they talk about ball in play time? Same with highlights…total borefest, much time spent chatting shit not enough football action.
Why i hardly ever bother, that and the fact that most of what they say is crap and manufactures consent.
Ahem!
😉
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
Comment #112CLINT FLICK
Man Utd will feel the pressure if Newcastle win at Forest, just 3points difference and they coming to SJP
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM
Comment #113I actually think it worked out perfectly Almiron coming on as a sub he usually spends all game being chased but by the time he comes on he’s fresh and Wolves have had a hell of a battle to keep us out already with him taking advantage
Must admit have to give great credit for Howes team selection it was brave to change the whole front line but it worked we had energy that we haven’t had in a long time and Willock also made a great contribution
Also looked like we were back to trying different set pieces again
Ty21
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
Comment #114CLINT FLICK
Yeah, I never really care about who was the pundits of the match or what they even said during the game.
jimiley
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM
Comment #115Isak looked class today. Offers lot more than Wilson.
Willock was good.
Max is max. Looks so dangerous but the final ball is lacking.
We made hard work of 3 nil at ht was fair.
We got lucky with Pope. And we never get breaks? Different game with 10 men and a pen.
Onwards and upwards
magicmac54
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Comment #116Isak was outstanding today and will deservedly get motm, but i thought Joe Willock was also superb and covered every inch of grass a great athlete. The lads while not back to their best dug very deep to obtain all 3 points, there is undoubtedly tremendous character and resilience in that team, created by Eddie and the whole coaching staff. On a side note i think we got very lucky with the Nick Pope incident, and for me he was a very lucky boy not to see red. Onwards and Upwards HWTL.
investinyouthtoon
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Comment #117Will be interesting to see who drops out when Big Joe returns from suspension, whether it is little Joe, St Max or Sean. If AG is fit and plays on wide left in place of St Max it still means either Sean or little Joe will need to come out for Big Joe.
simon376
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:26 PM
Comment #118Got to say from where I sit in East stand, was convinced a pen for them, think VAR didnt give it as ref said no straight away so wont overturn whet he says. Just so pleased finally got a win again
Gosforthlad
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
Comment #119https://twitter.com/skysportspl/status/1635004030760960021?s=21&t=IRJRWU0sbeu7ItPwfh5ibA
The ball boys touch
His name is Joe Ralph he is on Newcastle’s books and has a great left foot
magicmac54
Mar 12, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Comment #120Sir Rhosis Mr Doyle
I see your in hospital mate, is everything ok Sir?