Wolves failed to earn a third straight Premier League win as they drew 1-1 with Newcastle at Molineux.
Raul Jimenez’s volley looked to have given Nuno’s side three points before Jacob Murphy’s late free-kick ensured a fourth straight 1-1 draw between the two sides.
The result leaves Wolves in seventh place, level on points with Leeds, Southampton and their next opponents Crystal Palace above them.
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle Reaction
After two straight 1-0 wins either side of the international break, Nuno made just one change to the team that started Monday’s win against Leeds as Ruben Neves replaced Joao Moutinho. Max Kilman kept his place after a man of the match performance at Elland Road, while Romain Saiss was preferred to Marcal and new man Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-wing back.
The substitutes bench saw the aforementioned Ait-Nouri make his first appearance in a matchday squad for Wolves, while there was no place for fellow summer signing Vitinha for the second straight game.
The key pre-match talking point came in the form of Steve Bruce’s selection, with the Magpies manager fielding an unorthodox and seemingly offensive starting XI. Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson formed a strike partnership with Almiron, Fraser, Lewis and Murphy providing support from midfield and the wide areas. Karl Darlow was also passed fit after suffering an injury scare in last week’s defeat against Manchester United.
It was Wolves who surprisingly started brightest in the first half, but could not find the net in the opening 45 minutes for the sixth game running. Podence and Jimenez had chances for Nuno’s side, with the Mexican having the best opportunity when he slashed wide from close range. Callum Wilson was put through for the visitors, but his shot was well blocked by Kilman.
The second half proved to be a cagier affair, but again Wolves had the better opportunities. Neto missed a golden opportunity five minutes after the restart when he pulled Podence’s cut back over from inside the area, while Jimenez had two good opportunities, one of which forced a good save from Darlow.
With ten minutes to go, the deadlock was broken. Neto’s free-kick was cleared to Jimenez who surprisingly found himself on the edge of the box. The Mexican teed himself up and volleyed into the far corner, although Darlow should have done better.
It looked as though Wolves would see out their third consecutive 1-0 win, but after Wilson won a soft free-kick following a challenge with Coady, Jacob Murphy curled a free-kick around the Wolves wall and past Patricio’s weak arm to extend Newcastle’s unbeaten Molineux run to seven games.
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle Key Moments
13’- Jimenez slashes wide
Wolves’ top goalscorer is found inside the area but flashes the ball wide with his left foot.
17’- Kilman’s superb block denies Wilson
Callum Wilson is put clean through on goal but a brilliant recovery from Max Kilman denies the England international.
50’- Neto blazes golden opportunity
Some great work from Podence down the left-hand side gives Pedro Neto a clear cut chance but he skies his effort over Darlow’s crossbar.
80’- Jimenez’s volley puts Wolves ahead
Neto’s free-kick is cleared to Jimenez who volleys in from 20 yards out to give Wolves the lead.
89’- Murphy equalises following poor defensive setup
After Coady fouls Wilson, Jacob Murphy bends his free-kick around Patricio’s poorly positioned wall and past the Portuguese number one to earn Newcastle a point.
Man of the Match – Nelson Semedo
The Portuguese impressed on his second Molineux appearance and was key to most of Wolves’ first-half attacks. Improved from a poor performance at Elland Road to beat Jamal Lewis with ease regularly and was rarely troubled defensively.
Things to improve
Finding a position for Saiss
While Romain Saiss has looked solid for Wolves so far this season, the impressive form of Max Kilman looks to have cost the Morocco captain his starting centre back berth. This has led to Nuno trying to shoehorn Saiss in at left-wing back since the departure of Ruben Vinagre, but it’s evident this hasn’t worked. Saiss struggled offensively throughout the match, as you’d expect from someone who has spent the last year playing as a centre back, and was rightfully withdrawn just after the hour mark for a more established wing-back in Marcal. Common sense would dictate that the Brazilian will start against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Patricio’s wall positioning
Newcastle’s late strike may have taken Wolves fans back to a day almost two years ago, where during the 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield in November 2018, Aaron Mooy scored a near-identical free-kick to Jacob Murphy’s leveller. Then, the Australian curled a free-kick around the Wolves wall and past Patricio’s glove, which led to calls about the positioning of his wall for free kicks at an angle. Patricio has rarely been at fault for any goals in the intervening 24 months and is one of Wolves’ most dependable players, but the déjà vu concerned with Murphy’s free-kick could bring concern.
James Wynn is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.