Newcastle held to goalless draw at Molineux as cutting edge missing

Newcastle were held to a goalless draw at Molineux by Wolves, failing to find the cutting edge that might have taken them into fifth place with a win. Newcastle had around two-thirds of possession but lacked creativity and finishing, while Wolves were judged worthy of a point. Wolves sit three points short of Derby’s worst-ever tally of 11, a total many at Molineux feared would not be overcome at Christmas.

The home crowd were less fearful and Rob Edwards’s set-up has made Wolves harder to break down and dangerous on the counter. Early chances were limited: Nick Woltemade had two misdirected headers and Jackson Tchatchoua’s right-side crosses were blocked. Teenager Mateus Mané brought energy and had the first shot on target with a volley; he drifted onto the left to press Kieran Trippier, who was in his third game back after a two-month injury lay-off.

Wolves replaced Tolu Arokodare with Jørgen Strand Larsen after about an hour, and Newcastle later sent on Yoane Wissa as part of a triple change. Newcastle’s plan centred on corners but deliveries were poor, leaving them around 70 minutes without a shot on target; a Trippier free-kick from 30 yards hit the outside of the net.

José Sá kept Wolves in the game with saves from Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton in the 85th minute, and the match finished without a breakthrough.

Key Topics

Sports, Newcastle, Wolves, Molineux, Premier League, Mateus Mané