Wolves 1-2 Newcastle: Harvey Barnes' stunner sees Magpies come from behind to move up to third at Molineux
Newcastle fought back in the final moments to secure a 2-1 victory over Wolves at Molineux, with Harvey Barnes scoring a remarkable long-distance goal that helped elevate them to third place.
Eddie Howe's team went down a goal after a well-executed counter-attack led by Joao Gomes. Jorgen Strand Larsen made a strong run down the right side, and Gomes feigned a touch on his cross, allowing the approaching Lemina to take a shot that went past goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Newcastle switched up three players during halftime, but it was Wolves who came out stronger. Larsen hit the bottom of the post and had a header denied with a low save. However, they were punished for missing their chances when Newcastle scored twice from a distance.
Wolves: Johnstone (6), Semedo (6), Mosquera (6), Dawson (7), Ait-Nouri (6), Andre (7), Gomes (7), Lemina (7), Bellegarde (6), Cunha (6), Larsen (6). Player Ratings: Johnstone, Semedo, Mosquera, Ait-Nouri, Bellegarde, Cunha, and Larsen all received a score of 6, indicating a decent performance. Dawson, Andre, Gomes, and Lemina stood out with a score of 7, highlighting their positive contributions to the match.
Substitutes: Hwang (5), Doherty (5), Doyle (6), Forbs (not applicable), Guedes (not applicable).
Newcastle: Pope (7), Livramento (6), Schar (7), Burn (6), Hall (6), Guimaraes (6), Longstaff (5), Joelinton (5), Gordon (7), Murphy (6), Isak (5).
Substitutes: Tonali (7), Barnes (7), Willock (6), Trippier (6), Kelly (n/a).
Star of the Game: Fabian Schar.
Fabian Schar's equalizer took an unfortunate deflection off Craig Dawson, which left Sam Johnstone unable to react in time. However, the winning goal was no stroke of luck; substitute Barnes hit a stunning shot into the top right corner, securing the three points and leaving Wolves still searching for their first victory.
Gary O'Neil's team had some bad luck, as even a fantastic save from Pope was needed to stop Matheus Cunha in injury time. However, their record of just one victory in 14 Premier League matches is concerning, and they find themselves in the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Newcastle climbs to third place.
Newcastle Discovers Winning Formula
Following a summer filled with transfer setbacks, the atmosphere at Newcastle has felt a bit tense as the new season begins. However, the team's performance shows no signs of this unease. In fact, they are experiencing their most successful start to a Premier League season since the days of Kevin Keegan.
"We may not be performing as well as we did last season, but we're figuring out how to secure victories lately, and that's crucial," Barnes remarked to Sky Sports after the match. "It was clear that we had to step up our game in the second half, and it was a significant challenge."
Match MVP: Fabian Schar Shines Bright
"I believe we began the match strongly, but then our performance slipped a bit. At halftime, we discussed the need to step it up," Schar mentioned to Sky Sports. "Scoring two fantastic goals and achieving a significant victory while playing away, especially after being behind, is huge for us."
"We have the potential to perform much better. While it's fantastic that we’re achieving results right now, we need to maintain that level of play consistently during the entire game. Our goal is to elevate our game to the next level."
"We understand what it's like to compete in European football, but since we aren't currently in that position, our attention is on the league. There's a lot to accomplish, and I’m excited for the season ahead."
Insights From Managers: Key Takeaways
Newcastle's manager Eddie Howe addressed Sky Sports:
"This is a huge victory for us. Playing away from home has its challenges, but this is a significant advancement for our team."
"I wasn't entirely happy with our performance at half-time, and the players understand that they need to step up. We have the capability to make adjustments. I want to acknowledge those who came off the bench; everyone contributed, and this victory is significant for us."
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"I felt a sense of urgency at the beginning of the half, but then the momentum slowed a bit. Fabian's goal boosted our confidence. It required a moment of true skill from Harvey, and in the end, we had to deal with cramps and showcase our determination to win."
"I believe we're making progress in our performances. It feels like we're headed in the right direction. There are many areas where we can still get better, and that's what we'll focus on this week. We have a strong bond as a team, and it's important that we continue to support each other."
Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil shared his thoughts with Sky Sports:
"I believe 'frustration' is the best way to describe it. It’s natural to feel disappointed after a result, but the team really put in their all. They demonstrated a lot of skill, and I felt we had the upper hand overall. I was confident and felt we posed a real threat. We're aware that we’re facing a challenging stretch of matches against high-quality opponents, and unfortunately, we’re being penalized for every mistake we make."
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I'm quite frustrated with the second goal. Harvey Barnes was given the space to cut inside and delivered an amazing finish. Losing Nelson Semedo was a significant setback; he's a crucial player for us, so his departure from the game was a major loss. The first goal was due to a deflection, which can happen in football.
"We're not wallowing in self-pity. We created plenty of chances during the match. When it was 1-0, I felt we were the more likely team to score, but then we began to wear out a bit. We were punished for mistakes that can occur in the Premier League. It's a hard result to accept because I truly appreciated the way the team performed for much of the game. I believe the fans witnessed a lot of hard work and good opportunities on our part. There's a lot we can build on moving forward."
Challenging Times Ahead For Wolves
"I have no doubt that we'll exceed the expectations that many have for us this season," O'Neil remarked to Sky Sports following their loss to Newcastle. However, he recognizes that the doubts surrounding Wolves' recent performance will persist until they achieve their first win.
The team has gone four games at the start of the Premier League season without a victory, and if we consider the last part of the previous season, they've only won one out of their last 14 matches. To turn things around, the coach needs to shift the current trend, which may require a bit more luck than they had during their game at Molineux on Sunday.
In the second half, Newcastle made a comeback with two long-range goals, one of which was deflected. O'Neil, having observed that his Wolves team has managed to score just one Premier League goal from outside the penalty area since he took charge a year ago, could certainly use a similar boost.
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However, there are challenges to consider as well. Striking the right balance seems difficult. Rayan Ait-Nouri was moved back to the left-back position, Mario Lemina started on the right wing, and Matheus Cunha roamed around the field. It's not clear how he integrates all these positions effectively.
Upcoming matches against Manchester City and Liverpool, along with away games at Aston Villa, Brentford, and Brighton, make for a challenging schedule. However, if Wolves remain united, they possess the talent to improve their position in the standings over time. Nevertheless, these are challenging moments for the team.
