Newcastle United drew 1-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, picking up a hard-earned point from a game in which they lost two players to injury.
Miguel Almirón’s third goal in his last six outings – a thumping strike after Dwight Gayle’s lay-off – gave United an early lead at Molineux.
But Steve Bruce’s side lost Paul Dummett to injury shortly after, and Wolves levelled the scores before the quarter-hour mark though Leander Dendoncker.
Newcastle then lost Gayle before the break as their injury situation worsened, but a battling second half display – in which they enjoyed some sustained spells of possession – saw them pick up their first Premier League point of 2020.
Having already curled an effort beyond the post, Almirón’s early strike lifted Unted’s spirits. It was a beautifully-worked opener, with Gayle and Jetro Willems working in tandem down the left. The latter’s cross found Gayle in the box and though the frontman couldn’t quite get it out of his feet to shoot, he had to presence of mind to play in the Paraguayan. The lay-off was good and the right-footed finish was even better, arrowed into the roof of the net past a stationary Rui Patricio.
The Magpies lost Dummett just 11 minutes in, with Florian Lejeune summoned from the bench, and a few minutes later Wolves equalised. Joao Moutinho’s delivery found Dendoncker unmarked in the middle, and the Belgian guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Sean Longstaff fired over from distance as Newcastle looked to regain the advantage but their cause wasn’t helped when they lost another player, this time Gayle, to injury on the half hour. Christian Atsu was introduced in his place but the hosts almost made the most of their opponents’ disruption. It took a wonderful save from Dúbravka, who got down to turn away Raul Jimenez’s header from point-blank range, to keep the scoreline level at the break.
Matty Longstaff – in another industrious display in midfield – hooked a Jinenez shot off the line after the restart and though Bruce’s men looked composed and controlled for spells of the second half, Wolves began to push after the hour. In a half of few chances, Newcastle held Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at bay, defending deeply and with discipline.
Dúbravka saved well once more, this time from Neto after Dendoncker’s cross was clipped into his path at the far post, but a draw seemed a fair result in the end – and a welcome one for Newcastle, who were indebted to Dúbravka’s two crucial saves either side of half time.
