Clinical Hwang seals victory
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Newcastle United 1
This has been an odd start to the season. In their opening three games and particularly the home matches against Spurs and Manchester United, Wolves looked reborn, fast paced and dominant performances ending in frustrating defeat. The tide appeared to turn with the away win at Watford since when Wolves have been outplayed by Brentford, were fortunate at Southampton and were far from convincing today. Yet nine points is probably a satisfactory return for the performances so far. The concern is that they made hard work of today’s win. The upside is Hwang Hee-chan. It is still early days but the Korean forward looks like the finished article. Possessed of pace, a football brain and crucially composure in front of goal he could be a more than adequate replacement for Diogo Jota whose absence was so evident during last season’s indifferent campaign.
As for the game there were four defining moments. Number one came in the nineteenth minute when having ridden a clumsy challenge Raul Jimenez threaded a beautiful pass to Hwang. Though at an acute angle the Korean still had the presence of mind and coolness to slide ball with precision passed an advancing Karl Darlow.
Moment two came in the fortieth minute as Hwang turned creator, picking out Francisco Trincao with a delightful pull back. Had Trincao a smidgen of the Korean’s composure Wolves would have been two up but as it was the Portuguese forward snatched his shot, crashing the ball against the bar from where it rebounded to safety. To the Wolves end did Newcastle advance, the defence at sixes and sevens as Jeff Hendrick fired the ball passed an injured Jose Sa. Hurt though he may have been in the fifty-fifty with Joelinton, staying on the ground hoping to claim a free kick was an error which aided the goal.
Moment three came shortly after the restart when in minute 50 Sa denied Allan Saint-Maximin with a point blank save.
Moment four followed shortly thereafter, Jimenez once again releasing Hwang free on goal. And for the second time in the game, the Korean striker finished with aplomb.
Thereafter Wolves made hard work of things, at no stage gaining any semblance of control. I sense they need an extra body in midfield. Furthermore, the early season vim seems to have gone, Nuno’s passing the ball to death all too evident.
Still, it was their first home win of the season and the Old Gold have at long last found a striker who can find the net. He could be the signing of the season.
For the beleaguered Steve Bruce, it could be curtains.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 7, Semedo 5, Kilman 6, Coady 6, Saiss 8, Marcal 5, Moutinho 6, Neves 6, Trincao 5 Sub Dendoncker, Jimenez 7, Hee-chan 9 Sub Traore.
Newcastle United: Darlow 6, Manquillo 6 Sub Murphy, Fernandez 6, Clark 6, Richie 6, S Longstaff 6, Almiron 6 Sub Gayle, Willock 5 Sub Hendrick 6, Hayden 6, Joelinton 6, Saint-Maximin 7
Attendance: Not stated.
Referee: Graham Scott 7
©Mark Brennand