Wolves 1-1 Newcastle (Neves ’38 | Saint-Maximin ’90)
Allan Saint-Maximin hit an exquisite 90th-minute volley to cancel out Ruben Neves’ long-range strike and snatch Newcastle a point at Wolves.
The Magpies came within a whisker of losing their unbeaten start to the season before a poor clearance from Hwang Hee-chan fell to Saint-Maximin on the edge of the box.
Wolves had taken the lead thanks to a moment of inspiration from Neves. Given that their big problem is scoring goals, and they are often guilty of squandering the most needless chances, so often do they turn to the magic of a playmaker who showed again why he has been linked with both Liverpool and Arsenal this summer. Wearing the captain’s armband, it was a goal from nowhere as he picked his moment, took his touch, and then curved the ball past Nick Pope.
The Portugal international had already carved out the best chance of the opening exchanges, a long ball from Wolves’ defensive third up to Pedro Neto, who could only lift his effort onto the roof of the net.
Wolves were perhaps fortunate not to have conceded a penalty for Matheus Nunes’ shirt pull on Sean Longstaff, and had their own appeal waved away when Nunes later collided with Ryan Fraser in the box.
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Sa 6 – Set the pace from the back but Newcastle didn’t give him enough to do
Semedo 6 – Booked for tripping Saint-Maximin, but had largely coped OK with his pace
Collins 7 Barely put a foot wrong and forming a really efficient pairing with Kilman
Kilman 7.5 Increasingly showing why Bruno Lage was happy to loan out Conor Coady
Jonny 6 Provided some great link-up with Neto
Nunes 6 Appealed in vain for a penalty after an innocuous coming together with Fraser, but really should have given a spot-kick away himself for a shirt pull on Longstaff. Did deliver an inch-perfect cross into Jimenez
Neves 8 A beautifully taken strike from the edge of the box and also provided an exquisite pass from his own final third up to Neto
Moutinho 6.5 A relatively quiet afternoon but kept the midfield three ticking along nicely
Neto 7 Couldn’t keep his early chance down and it brushed the top of the net, but was involved in much of Wolves’ good work and a great counter for the disallowed goal
Jimenez 6.5 Squandered a header but was able to bully Newcastle’s defence with his strength. Unlucky that his goal was ruled out
Guedes 6.5 Great pace, lots of ball-carrying but not enough final product; still feeling for his role in the front three, this time used on the right
Newcastle player ratings
Pope 6 Not much he could have done for the goal but otherwise solid, particularly from set pieces
Trippier 6 Barged off the ball by Jimenez and delivered a couple of corners that fell flat. Looked to have picked up a twinge
Schar 5 Avoided a red card despite the VAR check for a late foul that left Neto needing treatment
Botman 5 Improved in the second half, but this defence lacks shape and his positioning was off
Burn 4 Struggled at left-back – a shout for a possible handball against him and taken off shortly after the hour mark
Willock 5 Fired wide from close range and couldn’t close Neves down for the goal
Longstaff 5 Teamed up well with Saint-Maximin and could have won a penalty but guilty of a few poor decisions
Joelinton 7.5 A quietly accomplished display, spraying the ball about with some deft outside-of-the-boot passes and delivering an incisive through ball to Wood
Almiron 6.5 Delivered an incredible ball into Wood but his right foot let him down
Wood 5 His best shot came from too difficult an angle and he couldn’t get good enough contact on it
Saint-Maximin 7 Not his best display until the goal, but it was the game-changer – and he had caused problems running at Semedo but didn’t deliver enough with his final ball
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