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Howe went to the bench in the 68th minute with Isak and Saint-Maximin being withdrawn for Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron.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
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 13, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Comment #241Only just had a chance to watch the highlights. Delighted Trips and Isak combines for the first goal and also great to see Almiron get another goal. He works bloody hard and he’s decent in front of goal, especially with those sorts of chances.
Can’t help but think we got away with one with Pope’s challenge, only watched the brief highlights on Sky and no post-match analysis but both angles I saw made it look like a definite penalty to me! Unlucky goal for us to concede so maybe luck evened out in that game…
Isak up front has to be the preferred option from now on if he’s fit surely. Up front that is…in a centre forward position. 😉
Bills Son Is Back
Mar 13, 2023 at 8:54 AM
Comment #242On Pope…
It was just sod’s law that after the sending off he miscued the ball and nearly got sent off again. Mind, watching the replay there was no hand or trip that caused the player to go down. I think the ref and VAR got it right.
Pope has been fantastic this season and is a POTY contender and those two incidents are just what happens at times. I doubt we’ll see them again this season.
On the match…
Isak showed that those saying he wasn’t a CF were wrong. The guy was sensational at times and took his goal brilliantly. The only slight downside was he was knocked off the ball a bit to easily but, like Jo did, he’ll sharp learn to expect and deal with the physical stuff. I think Isak could be a mega player next season with some Prem experience and a full pre-season under his belt.
On being wrong…
I’ve doubted Willock in the past but he has defo found his position as a wide mid. His speed and running ability is making him a big asset to the team and a threat to the oppo. Still not sure whether he’ll be a regular after summer signings but he is defo a player to keep.
If we win at Forest and especially if other results go in our favour we will be right back in top 4 contention with Man U and Spurs to come to SJP.
Bring it on.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 13, 2023 at 8:59 AM
Comment #243…i had no clue what i thought about stuff ’til the nudge unit clicked back in and telt us, like.
So, I’ll mostly be watching thru proxy eyes, desperately hoping upon hope that i get it right.
This is the way!
Adamn_92
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:03 AM
Comment #244Isak and ASM definitely linked up well, it’s one of the only times I’ve seen ASM look to play the ball in behind defenders. It worked a treat and Isak gave that Wolves defence nightmares in the first half. What fantastic closing down he showed too, he really does have all the attributes to be a smash hit in this Howe team. He’ll only get better as he gets fitter and more settled. You could tell second half that Howe is correct in saying he isn’t fit yet. That could be due to the injury, maybe they aren’t pushing him as hard in training as they don’t want to risk a re-occurence of that injury, which was obviously an ongoing tricky thing.
Willock was outstanding and showed how much we’ve missed him in midfield. Great balance between driving forward with the ball, smart touches and link up play as well as fantastic defensive work and ground covered.
All in all, a very good performance with probably some nerves in the second half because of the recent dip. But we rallied and got the win and hopefully that kickstarts another good run of form to finish the season strong 🙂
DrGloom
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:04 AM
Comment #245Loch … seems the bbc and tories are basically hiding the real news by making headlines about a few thousand illegal immigrants that they are useless at kicking out and a sports personality putting up a tweet rather than any real news .. its pathetic
catchy in norway
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Comment #246Shearer has gone right down in my estimations. I understand mr potato head is his friend, but he is defending a man who just took things past the have an opinion, but his was not an opinion, it was an accusation of something horrific. thats not good at all, and Shearer should be distancing himself from this toxic person.
Adamn_92
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Comment #247Still baffles me in recent weeks some were questioning Isak and if we overpaid etc or if he’ll cut it. Considering he’s had an injury stricken first season in England, he has a pretty decent record so far and been impressive. 4 goals in 9 league games is not bad at all. It’s clear as day how dangerous he could be for us and his potential ceiling is sky high.
Adamn_92
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:09 AM
Comment #248Why are we still going on about Lineker, football presenter makes comment about the Tories.
It’s a total non-story.
Mad how much people care about it and how much traction it’s getting.
catchy in norway
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:12 AM
Comment #249Dr gloom
100 % correct, the news should be all the excess deaths caused by the vaccine. and the PM having his his investment firm buying close to 700 million pounds moderna shares.
catchy in norway
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:22 AM
Comment #250Adam
I personally dont care that it is a CONservative, Its the fact that he is accusing someone of genocide.
thats a big thing, and should not be taking lightly, because if it were true, WE ALL have a duty to make sure it never happens, and for someone as high profile as him, getting millions of “tax payers money” he should not be that boy that cries wolf.
Ty21
Mar 13, 2023 at 9:36 AM
Comment #251ASM still have room for improvements. Could say ASM have no “proper” coaching in his career till now. Think most of his previous managers just throw him in and let him do what he likes. The way ASM mixes up his plays cause chaos to wolves defence, some were caught in 2 minds. Whether to double up on him or track Isak’s run. This opens up spaces. 4 key passes in 70mins, yet some say ASM do nothing. He wasn’t great, but I think he did ok and feel that he has more to offer. The way he listens attentively to Howe on the sidelines, I think he is keen to improve on the tactical aspect of his game.