Newcastle 3-0 Wolves
by Roger Domeneghetti
at St. James’ Park

IN THE END, what looked like a tricky game on paper turned out to be rather routine for Newcastle, albeit with some help from Wolves.

Eddie Howe’s team had gained just two points from their last four home games, conceding 12 goals in the process. They welcomed a Wolves team unbeaten in their last six on the road, a run extending back into mid-December.

Therefore, it was little surprise when the visitors made much of the early running. Undaunted by the atmosphere, they took the game to Newcastle under slate grey north-east sky.

Yet, against the run of play, it was Newcastle who took the lead. With Wolves committing men forward in search of an opener, the Magpies turned defence into attack with a lightning-fast break. Fabian Schar found Anthony Gordon, who surged into space on the right. He teed up the on-rushing Bruno Guimaraes, whose shot looped off Craig Dawson into the path of Aleksander Isak for an easy header.

Wolves gifted their hosts a second just after the half-an-hour mark. A breakdown in communication between keeper Jose Sa and Max Kilman following a cross from Jacob Murphy allowed Anthony Gordon to steal in for an easy second.

Wolves offered little in the second half and Tino Liveramento sealed Newcastle’s first home League win of the calendar year with a third in the 90th minute. Again, it was aided by poor defending, as he danced past Dawson before slotting under pressure from Rayan Ait-Nouri.

“It was a big win today,” said Howe who registered his 100th Premier League win as a manager. “Our home form has always been so good, but we’ve had a little wobble. I’m delighted with the win. Confidence can ebb and flow, but I thought we saw that come back in the last 15 minutes.”

As well as the win, Newcastle registered their first clean sheet since mid-December. “Today we were much better defensively,” said Howe. “I thought in the main we got our balance right. Our game plan was, I think, right.”

Despite the result, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was proud of his team. “We knew it would be a tough test; the lads gave everything they could. There were a couple of errors, but they got a big chunk of luck in the first goal and a big chunk of luck in the second goal.”