Lightning Struck twice in two months as another late goal from Wolves breaks Newcastle hearts.
Newcastle United faced Wolverhampton Wanderers this evening in the reverse fixture against the high flying Premier League newcomers. Newcastle were looking to avenge their last minute defeat at St. James’ Park back in December and lead the game 0-1, thanks to unlikely hero Isaac Hayden, until the final minute of extra-time. Unfortunately, lighting decided to strike twice with Wily Boly scoring a controversial equaliser. It was arguably two points dropped for Rafa Benitez’s men, but encouraging performances from Sean Longstaff and an introduction of one Miguel Almiron will give hope coming into the next few games.
First Half
The game began really well as both teams played the game at pace and attempted to take control and play on the front foot. Newcastle’s formation matched Wolves’ nicely as a high press was adopted in order to disrupt the rhythm of Nuno’s side. With both attempting to play quite directly, especially with Newcastle looking to the wings to get the ball into the box with Rondon, it was an exciting opening few minutes – only devoid of a little quality. The first real chance of the half fell to Rondon with a tame shot from the edge of the box landing straight into the arms of Rui Patricio.
Whilst Newcastle could have built on this, Wolves began to wrestle control of the game as small mistakes began to creep into Newcastle’s game. All three central defenders were guilty of giving possession away cheaply at times with some last minute defending by Christian Atsu, albeit with a dangerous but fantastically timed tackle, saving the defenders blushes.
As Wolves now began to dominate proceedings in possession, taking control of 62% at this stage, Newcastle’s organisation in defending really began to show. A cut out through pass from Jamaal Lascelles lead to Wolves breaking at a dangerous pace, finding themselves 3 on 3 heading toward the Newcastle box. Newcastle slowed Wolves down enough to ensure that Lejeune was able to nick the ball and clear the danger.
Truthfully, despite Wolves’ dominance on the ball, quality was amiss in the final third with neither goalkeeper having to make a save of any real quality. That was until the 40th minute when Lejeune clipped his own heels back toward the Newcastle goal and conceded a corner kick, as the ball came in and was recycled to Jonny, whose excellent shot from range was saved and held down low.
Newcastle finished the half with momentum and with one of the best chances of the half as some great footwork going forward by Perez put Rondon through on goal. But, his shot was tipped away for a corner by Patricio.
Newcastle really pushed and probed for the final 5 minutes of the half and were clearly on top, however Newcastle were still missing that driving force and little bit of quality with their passing and final ball. Maybe new record signing Miguel Almiron might step off the bench in the second half and give them the spark or quality they need?
Second Half
Wolves started the brighter of the two sides as they attempted to wrestle control of the game that Newcastle had dominated for the last 5 minutes of the first half. Jimenez’s shot was blocked by Jamaal Lascelles leading to a corner. Moutinho’s corner was swung in dangerously and after being headed on, it dropped to Matt Doherty. Doherty dipped to head the ball from only 6 yards out, but young Sean Longstaff did just enough to put the Wolves defender off.
During the early period of domination by Wolves, the contest threatened to boil over. Schar dived in for a challenge late on Jota, who reacted badly to the challenge. Both players decided to stand up to each other, head to head, with players diffusing the situation. Both players received a yellow card for their troubles.
As Newcastle attempted to wrestle control back of the game in the 50th minute, Sean Longstaff continued to defy his age with a continually mature performance in midfield. The Newcastle youngster was heavily involved in everything that Newcastle was doing and had made the most passes of any Newcastle player with 40. That control was firmly wrestled back soon after.
Newcastle’s defiance in defence finally turned into quality in attack and it started with a solid pass from Newcastle Toons’ player of January in Fabian Schar. Schar, not at his best tonight, brought the ball forward looking to shoot, but spotting Isaac Hayden between the lines of the Wolves defence and played a fantastic through ball to allow Hayden to shoot from close range and beat Patricio in the Wolves goal. Now, Newcastle United had a lead, courtesy of Hayden, who was fantastic in midfield despite his desire to move away from the club.
Shocked to the core, Wolves upped the ante and pressed hard for an equaliser, but Newcastle’s defence held firm against shots from Jota and Dendocker. Wolves then replaced both players with Cavaleiro and Helder Costa. Newcastle, looking to see out the same and quell the press, finally lead to the change all Newcastle Toons were waiting for. Newcastle’s new club record signing Miguel Almiron was about to take his first steps in a Newcastle shirt.
With Almiron entering the fray, the impact was immediate as his quick turn of pace and willingness to get forward was causing Wolves all sorts of problems. Newcastle, at this stage, were dominating proceedings as we entered the final few minutes with 4 minutes stoppage time being added. Wolves, however, took control of the ball and created heavy pressure going forward in search of an equaliser, in a similar fashion as they had only a few months earlier searching for a winner at St James’ Park.
Unfortunately, that moment came just after the official end of the 4 minutes of added time. The ball was recycled out by Wolves and a cross swung into the box by Adama Traore, who was only on the pitch a few minutes. His poor cross looped into the air and to the back post where Dubravka awaited underneath it. As Dubrakva jumped to claim the ball, he was challenged by Wily Boly of Wolves. This seemed to put the Newcastle goalkeeper off, arguably the Wolves player had his hands on the shoulders of the Newcastle goalkeeper, with Boly heading the ball in for the equaliser. The Newcastle players, staff and bench gestured heavily for a foul, unfortunately, it fell upon deaf ears and the referee allowed the goal.
Newcastle’s performance away from home was fantastic, especially with Sean Longstaff controlling the midfield for large parts of the game against his more experienced counterparts. Newcastle will feel aggrieved that they have let another two points slip where they arguably should have taken all three. They now jet off tomorrow to a warm-weather training camp hoping that they can put the disappointment of another last minute Wolves goal behind them into what will be a crucial run of fixtures.