Wolves 2 – 2 Newcastle United. Wolves extended their Premier League unbeaten run to five matches with a hard-fought draw at home to Newcastle United.
Newcastle, who haven’t lost in their last six league games, twice led through Callum Wilson goals, but Wolves came from behind to secure a point.
Wilson stepped up as the replacement for the injured Alexander Isak with an acrobatic opener, burying a hooked effort into the net after Toti failed to clear the Newcastle striker’s initial close-range effort.
Wolves showed significant promise going forwards and regularly threatened the visitors, with keeper Nick Pope being called into action to beat away efforts from Matheus Cunha and Pedro Neto.
There was nothing Pope could do, though, when Neto – later carried off with a hamstring injury – whipped a pinpoint delivery into the box from a corner and Mario Lemina rose to thunder home a diving header.
There were more twists in an open first half and Wilson claimed his second from the penalty spot after Hwang Hee-chan was deemed to have fouled Fabian Schar – the effort just enough to find the net despite Jose Sa getting a hand to it.
But Wolves fought for a way back and Hwang got his sixth consecutive goal at Molineux, tucking past Pope after a clever turn to make amends for conceding the earlier spot-kick.
The point left Newcastle sitting in sixth spot, two points off the European qualification spots, while Wolves are 12th.
While a point is a positive result for Wolves, the second-half injury to Neto will undoubtedly dampen their spirits.
The talismanic winger pulled up with a hamstring issue and had to be carried off on a stretcher.
Neto fashioned opportunities from the beginning, his creativity in the final third testing a Newcastle defence that struggled with the pace of the hosts.
The Portuguese forward has already provided seven league assists this season and losing such a crucial player could be a hefty blow for boss Gary O’Neil.
He will take some solace, though, in the fact his side still managed to continue to apply pressure after Neto’s departure as Hwang, Cunha, substitute Sasa Kalajdzic and Rayan Ait-Nouri all toiled in pursuit of a winner.
With Wolves turning in strong recent performances under O’Neil, he will hope their good form continues in the absence of Neto.
Newcastle’s start to the season has been strong, but concerns over a potential slip-up would have been merited with a depleted squad.
Sweden striker Isak was forced off after 15 minutes in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund with a groin issue, Jacob Murphy has a shoulder injury, and Elliot Anderson has a back problem.
Added to such woes was the loss of key summer signing Sandro Tonali, who began a 10-month suspension on Saturday for breaching betting rules.
But their battling display at Molineux will have pleased boss Eddie Howe.
Wilson showed his quality, while Sean Longstaff also caused issues for the hosts with his midfield runs. Joelinton’s three chances created is also the Brazilian’s second-highest tally in a league game.
Newcastle travel to Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, before they host Arsenal in the league next Saturday.
source Mbare Times
