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Wolves player ratings gallery vs Newcastle United: Three score 8/10 but two dealt 5s in entertaining draw

Charlie Haffenden
·7-min read
Really should’ve done better to claim Gordon’s cross that led to Wilson’s goal. Probably should’ve saved Wilson’s penalty, too, as he guessed the right way and got a hand to it but still conceded.
Really should’ve done better to claim Gordon’s cross that led to Wilson’s goal. Probably should’ve saved Wilson’s penalty, too, as he guessed the right way and got a hand to it but still conceded.

Wolves howled back twice to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United under Halloween weekend’s full moon but it could’ve been victory if it wasn’t for a refereeing howler at Molineux. Callum Wilson struck acrobatically to give the Magpies an early lead but Mario Lemina headed in his first Wolves goal to equalise. The Toon then went back ahead as Wilson converted from the spot after a highly controversial penalty was awarded. A soaking-wet Molineux Stadium grew increasingly frustrated as an array of refereeing decisions went against them but top scorer Hwang Hee-chan was able to change the mood back in the hosts’ favour. Both sides tried to find a winner late on but the points were shared.

It all began with a very end-to-end opening 10 minutes that saw both sides miss early opportunities. Wolves were the first to squander an opening as Newcastle failed to clear from a Pedro Neto corner and it fell to Rayan Ait-Nouri. The left wing-back had enough space to shoot but was off balance and shanked the ball well over the bar. Down the other end just 60 seconds later, Toon number seven Joelinton sent Sean Longstaff free down the right flank with a brilliant through ball. The midfielder controlled the pass well and got good power and drive on his strike but it went inches wide of the far post, much to the relief of Jose Sa in net.

Wolves were the next side to have a big chance and it came from a Magpies error. Played directly into the feet of Hwang on the edge of the area by Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier, the ball was fed to Matheus Cunha but he could only shoot directly at goalkeeper Nick Pope. It was a weak effort and he really should’ve done better. Wanderers were made to rue their miss just two minutes later as Wilson gave the visitors the lead. Anthony Gordon was given too much space to cross and Sa failed to catch it as his own man, Boubacar Traore, clattered into him. Wilson saw his first attempt blocked heroically on the line by Toti Gomes but the striker controlled the rebound expertly before firing it into the net with a make-shift overhead kick.

Didn’t do enough to stop Gordon from crossing for 0-1 but otherwise kept the Magpies winger fairly quiet. Got beyond Burn plenty but his final balls were lacklustre, causing for chances to be wasted.
Didn’t do enough to stop Gordon from crossing for 0-1 but otherwise kept the Magpies winger fairly quiet. Got beyond Burn plenty but his final balls were lacklustre, causing for chances to be wasted.

Gary O’Neil’s side reacted superbly to going 1-0 down as they created a whole host of opportunities before the break and eventually equalised to lift the Molineux crowd. First off, it was Cunha as the Brazilian did brilliantly to create a chance by skipping past Trippier twice, but his resultant shot went just wide of the far woodwork. Neto then cut in from the right and struck with power but couldn’t beat Pope. Wanderers then found a way through, third time lucky, as Lemina headed Wolves back into the game, meeting an inch-perfect inswinging Neto corner. The midfielder sprinted from the edge of the area to evade the Newcastle defence and reaped the rewards to net for 1-1.

Newcastle were awarded a controversial penalty on the stroke of half time as Hwang Hee-chan wasn’t quick enough to clear the ball and kicked the ground just below Fabian Schar. The Video Assistant Referee checked for a long while as it did look rather soft. Replay after replay showed Hwang clip the ball away and hardly touch Schar, but VAR Jarred Gillett didn’t feel it was enough to overturn the on-field decision made by Anthony Taylor. Wilson was very nearly denied from the spot as Sa got a strong hand to it, but the ball trundled its way across the line to restore Newcastle’s lead.

Wolves came out firing in the second period and piled on the pressure, desperately trying to find an equaliser. An incredibly frustrating 25 minutes or so passed and it seemed it wasn’t going to be Wanderers’ night, but top scorer Hwang had other ideas. The South Korean, who had been unusually indecisive earlier in the game, returned to his clinical self at the vital moment as he took a Toti Gomes pass into his stride, cut in terrifically to beat Longstaff, and cleverly passed the ball beyond Pope at the near post. Molineux absolutely erupted as the ball rustled the Newcastle net.

The celebrations lasted merely a few minutes, however, as star winger Neto was stretchered off, causing great concern. The Portuguese was just about to take on a shot from range but as he pulled the trigger he felt a twinge in his hamstring and went down after a few limping strides. O’Neil was forced to take the number seven off, bringing Sasa Kalajdzic on in his place. A little while later, fourth official Thomas Bramall lifted his board to indicate eight added minutes but, although the tension certainly rose even higher at Molineux, the scoreline remained at 2-2.

Passed out from the back confidently and made a few impressive tackles. Unable to drive forward on the ball as he usually does.
Passed out from the back confidently and made a few impressive tackles. Unable to drive forward on the ball as he usually does.
Showed good physicality to keep Wilson at bay for the most part, even if the striker scoring twice would suggest otherwise. Lacked a little with his passing, though, as quite a few forward balls were cut out.
Showed good physicality to keep Wilson at bay for the most part, even if the striker scoring twice would suggest otherwise. Lacked a little with his passing, though, as quite a few forward balls were cut out.
Made an outstanding block to deny Wilson and was unlucky to see the rebound fall back to the striker for 0-1. Got the assist for Hwang’s goal with a brilliant pass under pressure. Chipped in with the odd tackle and interception.
Made an outstanding block to deny Wilson and was unlucky to see the rebound fall back to the striker for 0-1. Got the assist for Hwang’s goal with a brilliant pass under pressure. Chipped in with the odd tackle and interception.
Worked mightily hard down the left both in attack and defence. Made plenty of tackles, interceptions and completed a couple of dribbles. Even managed to display some outrageous double skill to beat Trippier and Lascelles in the first half! Let down by a couple of mis-hit crosses in the second period but a very good display overall.
Worked mightily hard down the left both in attack and defence. Made plenty of tackles, interceptions and completed a couple of dribbles. Even managed to display some outrageous double skill to beat Trippier and Lascelles in the first half! Let down by a couple of mis-hit crosses in the second period but a very good display overall.
Headed Wolves level in the 38th minute with his first goal for the club but that wasn’t even his best involvement as he did excellently to match Joelinton and Bruno in midfield. Lemina ran the hard yards to both win back possession and propel Wolves on the counter.
Headed Wolves level in the 38th minute with his first goal for the club but that wasn’t even his best involvement as he did excellently to match Joelinton and Bruno in midfield. Lemina ran the hard yards to both win back possession and propel Wolves on the counter.
Made a big mistake for 0-1 as he got in the way of Jose Sa, stopping the goalkeeper from catching Gordon’s cross before Wilson scored. Made the odd decent challenge in midfield but didn’t do enough to control things and was hooked by O’Neil.
Made a big mistake for 0-1 as he got in the way of Jose Sa, stopping the goalkeeper from catching Gordon’s cross before Wilson scored. Made the odd decent challenge in midfield but didn’t do enough to control things and was hooked by O’Neil.
Scored with great skill and a superb finish to equalise for 2-2. Was unusually indecisive on the attack before his goal, however. Can’t take anything away from Hwang for the penalty he gave away as he hardly touched Schar.
Scored with great skill and a superb finish to equalise for 2-2. Was unusually indecisive on the attack before his goal, however. Can’t take anything away from Hwang for the penalty he gave away as he hardly touched Schar.
Was very direct and breached the Newcastle backline a few times to create problems. Got the assist for Lemina’s goal with an inswinging corner. Went off on a stretcher late on – let’s hope it isn’t serious.
Was very direct and breached the Newcastle backline a few times to create problems. Got the assist for Lemina’s goal with an inswinging corner. Went off on a stretcher late on – let’s hope it isn’t serious.
Wolves’ driving force with his dribbling, Cunha has definitely gained plenty of confidence from his goal at Bournemouth last week. Missed a couple of big chances in the first half but one of those was created by himself so it can be forgiven somewhat. Another promising showing.
Wolves’ driving force with his dribbling, Cunha has definitely gained plenty of confidence from his goal at Bournemouth last week. Missed a couple of big chances in the first half but one of those was created by himself so it can be forgiven somewhat. Another promising showing.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' South Korean striker #11 Hwang Hee-chan (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)