Newcastle United's hopes of climbing to fifth in the Premier League were dashed on Saturday as they laboured to a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Despite dominating possession, Eddie Howe's side lacked the creative spark and clinical finish required to break down a resolute Wolves defence.
Retro Shirts Fail to Inspire Magpies' Attack
Arriving in retro kits reminiscent of the David Ginola and Les Ferdinand era, Newcastle failed to replicate the swagger of those past teams. With two-thirds of possession throughout the contest, the Magpies controlled the tempo but toiled in the final third. Their best early chances fell to Nick Woltemade, but the forward could only direct two headers off target.
Wolves, growing in confidence under Rob Edwards after a traumatic start to the season, were organised and difficult to break down. The home side offered a threat on the counter-attack, with Jackson Tchatchoua using his pace down the right flank, though his crosses were well blocked.
Midfield Battle Sees Trippier Stand Firm
A key figure in Wolves' recent mini-resurgence has been teenager Mateus Mané. The energetic midfielder registered the game's first shot on target with a clever back-to-goal volley. Edwards had identified the left wing, patrolled by Kieran Trippier in his third game back from injury, as a potential area of weakness. However, the experienced defender, facing a player 17 years his junior, held firm throughout.
For all Newcastle's patient build-up, their play became ponderous around the Wolves box, making it easy for the hosts' defensive unit. A succession of crosses came to nothing, and José Sá remained untested in the Wolves goal for the entire first half.
Substitutions Fail to Spark Breakthrough
As the game progressed, both managers turned to their benches. Wolves replaced striker Tolu Arokodare with Jørgen Strand Larsen, fresh from an FA Cup hat-trick, while Newcastle made a triple change, introducing Yoane Wissa for the ineffective Woltemade.
Newcastle's threat largely came from set-pieces, but the delivery was poor against a tall Wolves side. A Kieran Trippier free-kick from 30 yards in the second half rippled the side-netting, summing up a frustrating afternoon. Wolves' own counter-attacking threat waned, though Mané spurned a fine late chance by failing to control the ball in the box.
Newcastle finally forced Sá into meaningful action with five minutes remaining, the goalkeeper saving from both Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton from a free-kick routine. A goal then, however, would have been fortunate and undeserved on the balance of a match that lacked quality in attack from both sides. The point edges Wolves three points away from Derby County's record low Premier League tally of 11.
