Newcastle have moved to within touching distance of Premier League safety as they squeezed out a 1-0 win at home to Wolves.
The Magpies now move up to 34 points, with their first win in a month, thanks to Chris Wood's second half spot-kick on Tyneside.
Neither side created much in a drab opening 45 minutes, before Wood picked himself up after colliding with Wolves 'keeper Jose Sa, to eventually slam Newcastle in front with 20 minutes to go.
Wolves did rally in the final stages, with Fabio Silva heading wide, but Howe's side did enough to dig in and claim a valuable home victory.
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Newcastle vs. Wolves result
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Newcastle United | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Wolves | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
NEW — Chris Wood (penalty kick) — 72nd min.
Newcastle vs. Wolves as-it-happened: commentary and highlights
FULLTIME: Newcastle edge out a crucial three points in their battle against Premier League relegation with a tight 1-0 win over Wolves on Tyneside. On a night of few chances at both ends, Chris Wood's second-half penalty gives Eddie Howe's side a massive boost.
Watch in USA:
The post-match atmosphere at St James' Park is incredible. #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/ToqYJe1Fx8
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 8, 2022
88th min.: Scrappy stuff in the final minutes as Joao Moutinho picks up a caution and Sean Longstaff replaces Guimaraes for Newcastle. Rayan Ait Nouri on for Marcal for the visitors.
Watch in Canada:
Jose Sa gives away the PK and Chris Wood converts for his first home goal with Newcastle 😤 pic.twitter.com/cW6TpqipPs
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 8, 2022
84th min.: Another one for Wolves!!
Silva steps away from two tackles inside the box but his drive is beaten out superbly by Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Crucial stop by the Slovakian international.
82nd min.: Huge chance for Wolves!!
Substitute Pedro Neto slides in Fernando Marcal and his brilliant cross is headed well wide by Silva.
78th min.: Double change for Wolves.
78' | #NEW 1-0 #WOL
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 8, 2022
Double change as Pedro Neto and Chem Campbell are introduced. #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/sYrOIJj1Zb
75th min.: Newcastle break on the counter and it is ALMOST 2-0 as Saint-Maximin slips in Guimaraes and the Brazilian bends one just wide!!
Chris Wood has now scored six goals in 15 games against Wolves.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 8, 2022
The Kiwi is unbeaten in the previous three games in which he's netted against the Midlanders. pic.twitter.com/Qi4wFAQt2Z
72nd min.: WOOD SMASHES HOME!!!!!
Wood steps up and hammers the ball down the middle as Sa gambles and dives out of the way!
*Video only available in USA
Chris Wood sends the penalty home and it's 1-0 to Newcastle!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 8, 2022
📺: @USA_Network #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/p9lud2KRR4
*Video only available in UK
GOAL! | 1-0! ⚽#WOL keeper Jose Sa brings down Chris Wood and the #NUFC striker slots away the resultant penalty to score his FIRST goal at St. James' Park! #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/scunwcNmci
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 8, 2022
*Video only available in Australia:
There's nothing like the St James' Park roar when Newcastle hit the lead 🖤 🤍
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) April 8, 2022
It's Chris Wood from the spot for his second Toon goal, and his sixth all-time against Wolves.
WATCH | https://t.co/poGD575b4q#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/FUxHZtVqN1
70th min.: PENALTY NEWCASTLE??
Wood breaks onto a loose ball inside the box and Sa appears to catch him. However, the VAR check is UNDERWAY.
The PENALTY STANDS!!!
*Video only available in USA
Here's a look at the penalty. Wolves goalie Jose Sa fouled Chris Wood and the penalty call was confirmed after VAR review
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 8, 2022
📺: @USA_Network #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/LJqKfYxhJo
66th min.: Newcastle burst into life...but no breakthrough yet.
Guimaraes delivers a great ball into the box as Allan Saint-Maximin smashes over the bar before the Frenchman turns provider as his cross just evades Wood.
62nd min.: The game has slowed back down again as Schar goes down injured, Changes incoming for both sides.
54th min.: First booking of the night as Fabian Schar catches Fabio Silva.
50th min.: Some slight signs of life at the start of the second period with half chances at both ends. Wood flicks on for Dan Burn inside the Wolves box, but his tame effort is easily held by Sa before Hwang Hee-chan is snuffed out on the counterattack.
*Video only available in UK
"The BEST chance of the whole game..." 👀
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 8, 2022
0-0 | The first shot on target during the game and it came from #NUFC Dan Burn! 😳 pic.twitter.com/iArDhldz6M
46th min.: Back underway at St. James' Park.
Let's hope for some much needed positivity
Neither Newcastle or Wolves managed to register a shot on target in the first-half.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 8, 2022
Yawn. 😴 https://t.co/5j7BokQMpQ
HALFTIME: Neither side doing enough to carve out a breakthrough in a disappointing opening 45 minutes in Newcastle. Wood's close range effort rightly ruled out for offside against Almiron and Wolves have offered nothing.
44th min.: Two quickfire half chances for Newcastle as Joelinton's header flies wide and Almiron's deflected strike is easily gathered in by Jose Sa.
40th min.: Not One for the expected goals (xG) fans
As per OPTA data, it's Newcastle 0.07 vs. 0.03 for Wolves.
36th min.: Little burst of positivity from Newcastle as we edge towards the end of the first half. Joelinton's cross into the box is hacked away by the Wolves defense.
21st min.: NEWCASTLE GOAL RULED OUT BY VAR
Very little to talk about on the night and Newcastle have their breakthrough chalked off by VAR.
Brilliant skill from Miguel Almiron to create an angle to find Chris Wood, who scuffs home the 'opener', but the Paraguayan had strayed fractionally offside in the build up.
*Video only available in UK
DISALLOWED GOAL! 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 8, 2022
Newcastle's Chris Wood put the ball in the back of the net but it's ruled out as Bruno Guimarães is adjudged to be offside ❌ #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/osovAbRoO2
The goal by Chris Wood is ruled out for offside. But that buildup play by Newcastle was brilliant!
*Video only available in USA
📺: @USA_Network #NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/di3ZnQHSwB
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 8, 2022
11th min.: Slow start from both sides at St. James' Park with the only early news coming via Ryan Fraser's injury. The Scottish international appears to have tweaked his hamstring with Miguel Almiron coming on to replace him.
12' We're forced into an early change as Ryan Fraser is unable to continue.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 8, 2022
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Ryan. ⚫️⚪️
[0-0]#NEWWOL // #NUFC // @eToro pic.twitter.com/Fw53aowh5C
KICK OFF: Wolves get us underway here on a clear night on Tyneside!!
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 8, 2022
One hour to KO: TEAM NEWS IS IN
Two changes for Wolves boss Eddie Howe as Leander Dendoncker and Daniel Podence rotate out, and Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Cundle come in.
Our #NEWWOL line-up!
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 8, 2022
2️⃣ changes as Luke Cundle and Hee Chan Hwang come into the starting XI.
🐺📋 pic.twitter.com/2Bds5Y8t9j
Also two starting changes for Eddie Howe as Emil Krafth replaces Javi Manquillo at right back and Bruno Guimaraes comes in for the injured Joe Willock in midfield.
⚫️ 𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗦! ⚪️#NEWWOL pic.twitter.com/zrEol3xHoT
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 8, 2022
Two hours to KO: It's time for Friday Night Lights at St. James' Park! Welcome to Sporting News' live coverage of Newcastle vs. Wolves, with commentary running before and throughout the 90 minutes.
Newcastle vs. Wolves confirmed lineups
Howe is boosted by the return of Miguel Almiron after he missed last weekend's 5-0 defeat at Tottenham after testing positive for COVID-19, but Joe Willock was deemed unfit for this clash.
Newcastle United starting lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka (GK) — Targett, Burn, Schar, Krafth — Joelinton, Shelvey, Guimaraes — Saint-Maximin, Wood, Fraser
Newcastle United subs (9): Darlow (GK), Dummett, Manquillo, Lascelles, Ritchie, Murphy, Almiron, Gayle, Longstaff
Wolves have two key absentees for the trip to St. James' Park with Portuguese star Ruben Neves sidelined for a month with a knee problem and Raul Jimenez serving the final game of a two-match ban.
Wolves starting lineup (3-4-3): Sa (GK) — Kilman, Coady, Boly — Marcal, Moutinho, Cundle, Castro — Hwang, Silva, Trincao
Wolves subs (9): Ruddy (GK), Nouri, Mosquera, Neto, Chiquinho, Semedo, Gomes, Saiss, Campbell
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