With one dominant performance, three goals and three points, Newcastle jumped three places in the Premier League table, up to 7th, by beating Wolves on Saturday.
[ MORE: Upcoming Premier League schedule | Live PL table ]
Newcastle (40 points) are back in the European places for the time being, sitting a point ahead of Brighton and West Ham, and now two above Wolves (38 points), who slipped from 9th to 10th.
Healthy Newcastle look onward and upward with tough fixtures ahead
The months of December and January were nothing short of a complete disaster for Newcastle, as they won just three of nine PL fixtures (and lost the rest) while most of the first team was out injured and Eddie Howe struggled to pick 11 fit players (let alone 18) every time another game rolled around in three days’ time. Now, with all but Sandro Tonali and Joelinton back in the squad, it’s onward and upward once again. As an added bonus, the Magpies don’t have any one of Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal on their remaining fixtures list, with Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea the toughest tests between now and the end of the season.
After a cagey start that saw just one shot in the opening 10 minutes, a pair of star men, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, combined to break the deadlock in the 14th minute. Guimaraes made an underlapping run for Anthony Gordon to play him in behind Wolves’ defense on the counter. The Brazilian’s eventual shot was blocked, but the ball looped into the air and floated across the penalty area to the top of the six-yard box, where Isak follwed up with his run and headed the ball into an empty net.
The goal filled Newcastle with confidence, and there was only going to be one outcome from that moment forward. 1-0 became 2-0 in the 33rd minute, as Anthony Gordon pounced on a loose ball seven yards out to bag his 9th PL goal of the season. Jacob Murphy got free down the right wing and curled a low cross into the box for Isak, but Jose Sa came rushing off his line to beat Isak to the ball. The two collided, however, and the ball spilled onto the ground for an easy tap-in and a deserved second goal for Newcastle.
Wolves looked like they might escape St. James’ Park with only a two-goal defeat, but an unfortunate scrum inside the six-yard box ended with Tino Livramento slotting home Newcastle’s third goal in the 92nd minute.
What’s next?
Newcastle will try to move a bit closer to the European places when they travel to west London to take on fellow mid-table strugglers Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Monday (4 pm ET). Wolves will look to climb ever higher when Fulham visit Molineux Stadium on Saturday (10 am ET).
Player ratings - Newcastle vs Wolves
Newcastle vs Wolves, final score: 3-0
Goalscorers: Alexander Isak (14'), Anthony Gordon (33'), Tino Livramento (90'+2)
14th minute - GOAL - Alexander Isak follows up and heads home from close range
33rd minute - GOAL - Anthony Gordon taps it in after Jose Sa rushes out
90th minute +2 - GOAL - Tino Livramento completes the scoring with a late goal
How to watch Newcastle vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Newcastle starting lineup
Dubravka — Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn — Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock — Murphy, Gordon, Isak
Wolves starting lineup
Sa — Kilman, Dawson, Gomes — Semedo, Lemina, Doyle, Ait-Nouri — Sarabia, Bellegarde, Neto
Newcastle focus, team news
Alexander Isak remains the X-factor in attack, but the midfield is where Newcastle is feast or famine. Bruno Guimaraes is a stud but putting a lot of miles on his motor with young Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff asked to perform above their grade. Joe Willock is healthy and can help, while Elliot Anderson is also ready to pitch in following a long injury lay-off.
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Callum Wilson (shoulder), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Matt Targett (thigh)
Wolves focus, team news
Gary O’Neil is only missing one player, albeit a star in Matheus Cunha. Pedro Neto, Hee-chan Hwang, and others will be able to shoulder the load and Max Kilman is a true leader at the back.
OUT: Matheus Cunha (hamstring), Hee-chan Hwang (hamstring)