Newcastle United staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, a win that catapulted them to third place in the Premier League standings. Eddie Howe’s side showed resilience and determination, overturning a 1-0 deficit with goals from Fabian Schar and a stunning long-range effort from substitute Harvey Barnes, condemning Wolves to another winless outing.
Wolves Take the Lead
The match started with both sides probing for control, but it was Wolves who struck first, courtesy of a slick counter-attack. Joao Gomes was at the heart of the move, igniting Wolves’ breakaway with his pace and vision. Jorgen Strand Larsen, powering down the right flank, delivered a low cross into the Newcastle box. With a brilliant dummy from Gomes, the ball bypassed the Newcastle defense and fell to Mario Lemina, who arrived in perfect stride to sweep it past goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Wolves, buoyed by their home crowd, looked to build on their early advantage. Lemina’s goal was a culmination of quick, incisive play that had Howe’s men scrambling, but despite going a goal down, Newcastle remained composed.
Newcastle’s Response
After conceding, Newcastle United slowly regained their footing in the game. Eddie Howe’s men began to assert themselves in midfield, with Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali dictating the tempo, though clear-cut chances were few and far between. Wolves’ defense, marshaled by Craig Dawson, seemed resolute for much of the first half.
However, Newcastle’s persistence paid off just before the hour mark. The visitors earned a corner, and after a brief spell of pressure, Fabian Schar fired a shot from the edge of the area. His effort looked routine until it took a wicked deflection off Dawson, wrong-footing Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. The ball sailed past Johnstone, leveling the score at 1-1 and shifting the momentum in Newcastle’s favor.
While Schar’s goal came with an element of fortune, it reflected Newcastle’s growing confidence in the match. From that point on, the Magpies pushed forward, hungry for more.
Barnes’ Moment of Magic
The decisive moment came in the 84th minute when Harvey Barnes, who had been introduced as a substitute, produced a moment of individual brilliance to secure all three points for Newcastle.
After receiving the ball on the left wing, Barnes cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box. His strike soared through the air and found the top-right corner of the net, leaving Johnstone helpless and sending the away fans into raptures. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, as Barnes’ technique and vision exemplified the quality that Newcastle have at their disposal.
Wolves’ Struggles Continue
For Wolves, the defeat will feel like a bitter pill to swallow. After taking the lead through Lemina’s clinical finish, they failed to maintain their advantage and have now gone without a win in their last six matches. While their opening goal showcased the potential for fluid attacking play, their inability to close out the game ultimately cost them.
Manager Gary O’Neil will undoubtedly be frustrated with his team’s inability to capitalize on their early lead and see out the match. Despite moments of promise, Wolves struggled to create significant opportunities after Lemina’s opener. As Newcastle grew stronger, Wolves found themselves pinned back and unable to exert the same control they had in the opening stages of the contest.
Defensive frailties, particularly during set-pieces, continue to be a concern for Wolves, as they were unable to deal with the pressure that eventually led to Schar’s equalizer. The Molineux crowd, having seen their side take an early lead, were left dejected as Barnes’ late winner compounded their misery.
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