Brilliant Woltemade seals much-needed win! - Newcastle 1-0 Wolves

A huge win for Eddie Howe’s Mags, giving Newcastle United and club record signing Nick Woltemade a big platform to build on heading into a busy few weeks.

With two wins and a draw in our previous three games, the pressure was on to take all three points, and we did exactly that. It wasn't a classic, but it was a much-needed win, another clean sheet (three in four so far this season) and a superb all-round display from our new £69m striker.

It was a first half that started worryingly but ended with Newcastle well and truly on top, with Woltemade enjoying a dream start to his career on Tyneside.

Before his goal, there were a few early scares, as our other Nick (Pope), was called into action not once but twice in the opening minute of the match, first tipping wide Gomes’ big chance before he did the same to deny Hwang.

At the other end, we slowly recovered from a sloppy start, featuring too many giveaways in our own half, creating chances of our own. Murphy fired just wide from Woltemade’s lay-off and had a close range effort saved superbly by Johnstone.

A few more defensive lapses were saved by our centre-backs, as both Fabian Schar and Dan Burn made goal-saving saving tackles to deny Wolves’ big man Tolu Arokodore.

But then came the breakthrough and the first time we’ve taken the lead all season, as Murphy’s inviting cross found our new No. 27 at the back post. Woltemade did well to peel off his man and head high into the net at the back post, capping his debut with a massive goal his first half display fully deserved.

He nearly created another with a lovely ball in behind for Barnes putting us in behind before Murphy finished, only for the offside flag to dent us. And Tonali was next to go close, smashing a brilliant low shot off the post, across the line and away!

The second half started with no changes and we settled back into it nicely, controlling the opening exchanges without creating a great deal.

Joelinton almost fed Barnes for a one-on-one only for Johnstone to come out quickly, then we saw a lovely interchange between Barnes, Tino and Bruno before the winger fired over a few brilliant one-twos.

Woltemade’s brilliant debut came to an end on 64 minutes and he received a well deserved standing ovation. We saw several glimpses of what he’ll bring; some lovely touches to bring others into play, he dropped short superbly, battled well, offered a creative spark and good movement in the box, highlighted by his very well taken header.

Will Osula came on to replace the big German, with Joe Willock also coming on to replace Joelinton, who was probably being protected for Thursday night’s clash with Barcelona after a few weeks out through injury.

We had to be careful and couldn’t let complacency slip in, as this was a poor Wolves side and big opportunity to secure our first three points of the season. We hadn’t won since May (2-0 vs Chelsea) and just had to get over the line, and that’s what we did.

A big mention should go to Pope for his two early saves, Schar and Burn for vital interventions in the first half, the ever-impressive Livramento and the all-action Tonali, who kept putting out fires as Wolves tried to come back into it late on.

It wasn’t Bruno’s best game, Barnes struggled and I thought Trippier was poor, but the Brazilian can be excused given he played 90 minutes in Bolivia’s high altitude stadium for his country just a few days ago

A vital victory, our third clean sheet in four games, a near-perfect debut for Wolteemade and a big lift for all heading into Barcelona and Bournemouth next week!

Howay the lads!

Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes

Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Miley

Wolves XI: Johnstone, R.Gomes, Mosquera, Agbadou, Toti, H.Bueno, Krejci, Andre, J.Gomes, Hwang, Arokodare.

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, S.Bueno, Wolfe, Tchatchoua, Munetsi, Bellegarde, Arias, Lopez