Newcastle 3 Wolves 0: Isak and Gordon’s first-half goals ease pressure on Eddie Howe after Nagelsmann links
IT wasn’t quite parking the bus yet Eddie Howe showed he is no one-trick pony to keep Newcastle’s European hopes alive.
Given they’ve been shipping goals like they’re going out of fashion recently, something had to change.
This wasn’t particularly fun, thrilling, or entertaining.
Defending deep with men behind the ball is not going to get the Toon Army purring.
But you’d imagine some more boozy adventures across the continent just might so if this is a means to an end, they’ll take it.
A first win at St James’ Park since December 16 thanks to goals from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento eases the pressure slowly building on Howe.
Strugglers Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Luton have had a field day here in recent times.
So Howe went back to basics having conceded 12 goals in their last four, keeping things tight and playing on the counter.
His ‘intensity is our identity’ mantra has been scrapped for now – and it worked a treat.
Wolves had more of the ball and the upper hand for large parts. But Gary O’Neill’s side, sorely lacking a finisher, never really looked like breaking down the Magpies’ new-found solidity.
Isak bagged Newcastle’s opener, finishing off a blistering break led by Gordon.
And the Scouser got the second after 33 minutes, capitalising on keeper Jose Sa’s shocker before sub Tino Livramento’s injury-time solo goal.
Starting the day in 10th, victory catapults the Tynesiders above Wolves and Brighton in eighth as they gun for a Europa League spot.
Wolves started on top in the lashing rain but Newcastle were ahead 13 minutes in.
Fabian Schar set the rapid counter off by playing to Gordon in acres of space on the left, and the winger hared forward before sliding in the onrushing Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazilian’s shot was deflected but it looped perfectly for Isak at the back post to nod home his 11th Prem goal of the season.
Galloping giant Dan Burn then had a great chance to double the lead after somehow ghosting into the box unnoticed, but his dragged effort was exactly what you’d expect from a 6ft 7in defender.
Wolves were still causing problems, dragging the hosts about, yet lacked a goal threat.
The best opening fell to Toti, who powered a header over the bar – and it was soon 2-0 following that huge let off.
Using the skiddy surface to their advantage, keeper Jose Sa had a shocker trying to claim Jacob Murphy’s low cross.
Sa spilt it as he clumsily collided with teammate Max Kilman, putting it on a plate for Anthony Gordon to bury.
The Portuguese stopper had a pop at Kilman for getting in his way but this was his howler.
He picked up a shoulder injury for his troubles too and was replaced by Daniel Bentley at the break.
Star man Pedro Neto was also subbed, depriving the visitors of the quality needed to launch a fight back.
Newcastle had their own concerts as Kieran Trippier was forced off early in the second.
But the hosts came closest to the next goal with Joe Willock’s header from Burn’s cross cleared off the line.
The visitors continued playing their stuff but Toon goalie Martin Dubravka was a bystander throughout until he was forced down to his right to deny sub Nathan Fraser in the 66th minute before keeping out Pablo Sarabia at his near post soon after.
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Wolves were edging closer with Dubravka leaping left to his left to hold Jeanricner Bellgarde’s header.
Newcastle had barely threatened to add a third as the game wore on.
But sub Livramento was then sent free down the right, and the full-back charged towards the box unopposed and skipped through Craig Dawson and Rayan Ait-Nouri’s hopeless challenges before bundling home his first Mags goal.