Newcastle 2-1 Wolves: Isak shines as Miggy makes up for Trippier's slip
GET IN! After just one victory in our last eight Premier League games, Newcastle United got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Wolves.
Alexander Isak gave us the lead in a stunning first half display from the Swede, but his glancing header was cancelled out by a horrible equaliser with 20 minutes to play, seeing Hwang tap into an empty net after an awful mix-up between Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier.
Just as it felt like another game of missed chances would end in a frustrating draw at St James' Park, super sub Miguel Almiron fired past Jose Sa after some brilliant work from Joe Willock; who was oustanding in Joelinton's absence.
The win sees us leapfrog Liverpool, moving back into fifth and four points behind Spurs with two games in hand. It feels like a potential turning point in our season and a result we desperately needed in our ongoing search for European football next season.
Howe has made five changes for this one, featuring a first Premier League start since November for Jacob Murphy, who replaced an out of form Almiron.
Elsewhere, Fabian Schar, Joe Willock, Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak came into the side, replacing Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton (suspended), Anthony Gordon and Callum Wilson, while Anthony Gordon missed out with an 'ankle injury' that looks set to keep him out a couple of weeks.
The first half was brilliant and our best 45 minutes of football since the turn of the year. We took time to find our rhythm, but Isak was electric from the off, Saint-Maximin was unplayable in patches after a timid start and Murphy was also playing his part, releasing the ball quickly, giving his all and winning a few free kicks.
Talking of free kicks, that’s how we took the lead just moments after a another Nick Pope scare - which looked a penalty on replays - almost gifted Wolves a penalty. Trippier whipped in from the right and Isak climbed highest, glancing into the far corner to give us a well deserved lead. 1-0!
Our confidence rocketed, the crowd lifted and the hosts faced a barrage of pressure, with brilliant blocks denying goal-bound efforts from Isak, Murphy and ASM. Bruno also went close and should’ve made it 2-0, striking the bar from a couple of yards out after Burn’s back post header across goal.
Wolves almost responded before the break, as a low strike from Daniel Podence clipped the post, but 1-0 flattered them in truth. The link up between Isak and ASM was a joy to watch at times, with the Swede looking every bit a £60m player in an outstanding first half display. He was a handful from high balls, made great runs in behind, showed frightening pace and equally quick feet, also showing what a clean ball striker he is with a few stinging efforts that looked destined for the net if it wasn’t for heroic blocks. He looked a constant threat but also did the dirty work superbly.
The only frustration was we were only 1-0 up. For all our good play, countless corners and 13 shots, that gave Wolves hope heading into the final 45.
We came out sitting deeper, allowing Wolves to more possession in hope we’d hit on the counter and frustrate their often blunt attack. For me, this was a risky tactic and perhaps one typical of a side that’s won just one of their last eight league games. However, it felt like we sat in too early, giving Wolves encouragement they couldn’t find in a first half we dominated. First Neto tested Pope with a well worked free kick, with our No 1 forced to make another smart save moments later from Moutinho’s back post volley.
We were asking for trouble and it arrived thanks to a calamitous mix up between Pope and Trippier. The former didn’t commit to claiming a loose ball and the latter panicked, allowing Hwang to tap into an empty net from Trippier’s sliced clearance.1-1.
At this point, Isak and ASM had already been replaced by Wilson and Almiron, giving us an uphill battle to retake the lead in a game we completely dominated in the first half. Character was needed and we showed that just when we needed to, as some patient play from the tireless Willock released Almiron. The Paraguayan cut in and fired past Sa to make it 2-1, sending St James' wild as we edged back ahead.
Matt Ritchie then replaced Murphy - who put in a good shift on and off the ball - as we looked to see out a much needed win. We looked shattered but stuck to our task, with the final few moments featuring a brilliant Burn block to cut out Semedo's cross, Willock clearing from the resulting corner and a big chance for Botman that could and should have made it 3-1.
A huge three points and vital victory for Eddie Howe's Mags. Isak showed why we paid £60m and started him ahead of Wilson, Burn was much improved, Pope made a few key stops and Bruno was a few levels below his best, while Willock was superb, covering every blade of grass down that left-hand side to support ASM, cover for Burn and eventually create our winning goal.
Next up, a trip to Nottingham Forest next Friday. HWTL!
Botman huge chance 93rd - Almiron
Burn block, Willock clearance
