Wolves’ season stuck on launch pad
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 v Newcastle United 1
Twelve months ago, after three games of the Premier League Season Wolves had won none, drawn none and lost three with a goal difference of -3. They were third from bottom. After three games of the current season they had won none, drawn one and lost two with a goal difference of -2. They were third from bottom. Last week at White Hart Lane they outplayed Tottenham but once again were punished for failing to score during their first half dominance. Step forward Harry Kane to seize on a Nathan Collins error and seal the tie. But new signings Goncalo Guedes and Matheus Nunes had offered promise and in so doing dispelled some of the pessimism that was starting to seep into Molineux bones. How then would they fare against Newcastle United, revitalised under the assured stewardship of Eddie Howe and a Saudi piggy bank of considerable girth.
The answer is very well. Though substituted with ten minutes of the game remaining Guedes looked sharp throughout, was not frightened to put his foot in and looks a good acquisition. Ditto Nunes who is also strong, quick, skilful and a grafter and but for the iniquities of VAR would tonight be celebrating a first season victory for Wolverhampton Wanderers. As it was ten minutes later Wolves were hanging on for dear life following a gifted goal for which Hwang Hee-chan will struggle to gain exoneration. He had barely been on the field sixty seconds when from the edge of his 18 yard box he went to clear the ball towards the half way line. Sadly his execution failed as the ball sailed across the Wolves box to the D from where Allan Saint Maximin’s stunning volley gave Sa no chance. On another day it could have flown into row Z but such are the vagaries of football. And so to time added on during which the visitors hit the bar and had a free kick awarded on the edge of the box only to mercifully squander it. It proved the final kick of an enthralling encounter.
At half time I said that a draw would be a good result and though the manner of the draw was deflating Wolves again played well. And as with all three previous games they started the game the stronger creating a series of half chances which first Pedro Neto and then Nunes failed to convert. Newcastle too let chances go begging until in minute 38 Ruben Neves broke the deadlock with a brilliant strike. The move began on the right from where Neto’s crossfield ball found Guedes in the left channel. He found Neves with a quick infield pass and from the edge of the box the recently installed captain struck the ball beautifully into the bottom left hand corner of the net. It was text book Neves and was the icing on the cake of the stand out performance. Wolves were good value for their lead but one goal is never enough and so it came to pass. Still, super-agent Jorge Mendes was in the Director’s box, and it would appear a striker is on the way. Once Nunes, Guedes and Neves develop and understanding, Wolves will eventually achieve lift off.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 7, Semedo 7, Collins 6, Kilman 7, Castro Otto 7, Neves 10, Nunes 8, Moutinho 6 Sub Dendoncker, Guedes 7 Sub Podence, Neto 7 Sub Hee-chan, Jimenez 5
Newcastle United: Pope 6, Trippier 7, Schar 6, Botman 6, Burn 6 Sub Targett, Willock 6 Sub Anderson, Longstaff 6, Joelinton 6, Almiron 7 Sub Murphy, Wood 6 Sub Fraser, Saint Maximin 8 Sub Ritchie
Attendance: 31,500
Referee: Peter Bankes 8
©Mark Brennand