Newcastle Edge Wolves as Howe Breathes Sigh of Relief

Newcastle United finally found their winning formula on Tyneside, grinding out a vital 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers that lifted the weight of expectation from Eddie Howe’s shoulders while simultaneously condemning the visitors to an unwanted slice of history.

The triumph marked Newcastle’s first three points of the campaign, providing much-needed momentum ahead of Thursday’s mouth-watering Champions League clash with Barcelona.

For Wolves, however, this defeat represented their fourth consecutive loss to start the season – a dubious first in the club’s storied history that will pile pressure on Gary O’Neil’s project.

The match exploded into life from the opening whistle, with Wolves’ summer signing Arokodare making an immediate impression. The striker’s deft flick from a raking long ball released André Gomes, whose fierce drive forced Nick Pope into a spectacular diving save to his right. The resulting corner saw Hwang Hee-chan’s half-volley require another intervention from the England goalkeeper, serving notice that the visitors had arrived with attacking intent.

Newcastle’s response was equally swift. Jacob Murphy’s curling effort from distance whispered past the top corner before the winger was thwarted by José Sá’s reflexes in a one-on-one situation just five minutes later. The frantic opening exchanges perfectly encapsulated what would prove to be a captivating first half.

Drama continued to unfold as Fabian Schär produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Arokodare a certain tap-in, before controversy erupted at the other end. VAR officials scrutinised a potential red card for Mosquera’s challenge on Harvey Barnes, but referee Michael Oliver waved away Newcastle’s appeals for serious foul play.

The decisive moment arrived in the 29th minute through an unlikely source. Nicolai Woltemade, making his Newcastle debut, rose majestically to meet Murphy’s pinpoint cross with a thumping header that left Sá with no chance. At 6 feet 6 inches, the German striker’s aerial prowess proved the difference, capitalising on Wolves’ inability to escape their defensive third during sustained periods of pressure.

The second half offered a stark contrast to the opening period’s intensity. What followed was a scrappy midfield battle punctuated by yellow cards and half-chances, as both sides struggled to maintain the earlier tempo. Newcastle, perhaps mindful of their European commitments, appeared content to protect their slender advantage.

Despite underperforming their 1.50 expected goals, Howe’s side showed the kind of game management that has been absent from their early-season displays. The victory provides crucial confidence ahead of their Champions League return, with the Barcelona fixture offering an opportunity to announce their intentions on European football’s grandest stage.

For Wolves, this latest setback extends their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign. Mustering just 0.53 expected goals against a Newcastle defence that has looked vulnerable this season will concern O’Neil, particularly with the attacking talent at his disposal.

However, there were encouraging signs in their early dominance and Arokodare’s promising debut. The striker’s movement and link-up play suggest better days lie ahead, starting with next weekend’s crucial encounter against newly-promoted Leeds United – a fixture that has suddenly taken on added significance for both clubs’ early-season trajectories.