Callum Wilson’s acrobatic finish broke the deadlock and, despite Mario Lemina’s header levelling the scoring for the hosts, the Magpies striker restored the visitors’ lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time following Hee-chan Hwang’s foul on Fabian Schär.
United, however, found themselves back on level terms in the latter stages of the contest through Hwang’s composed finish as the spoils were shared in an enthralling encounter, a sixth draw in the last nine English top-flight matches between the two sides.
In a frantic first half, the Magpies created the maiden goalscoring opportunity of the contest as Sean Longstaff went close to netting a third goal in his last five league matches as the North Shields-born midfielder collected Joelinton’s forward pass before drilling a low effort inches wide of the left-hand post.
United goalkeeper Nick Pope was forced into action as the England international held Matheus Cunha’s strike from the edge of the box after the Brazilian forward initially intercepted Kieran Trippier’s loose pass before exchanging passes with Hwang.
In the 22nd minute, Newcastle opened the scoring as Wilson netted his 44th goal for the Magpies. After Anthony Gordon’s curling cross from the left flank was spilled by Wolves goalkeeper José Sá, Wilson’s initial shot at goal was blocked on the goal line by Toti before the striker made no mistake with the rebound, firing an overhead kick into the right-hand corner, moving outrightly into third place of the club’s all-time Premier League goalscoring list in the process.
Pope produced an excellent stop to deny Cunha after the South American forward completed a dangerous solo run before his resulting low shot was tipped away for a corner by the Magpies shot-stopper before, shortly after, Pedro Neto’s fiercely driven attempt was pushed over the crossbar by the United goalkeeper.
In the 36th minute, Wolves levelled the scoring through Lemina as the Gabon international raced towards the back post from Neto’s teasing corner before heading home from close-range.
With the half-time whistle approaching, Wilson netted his seventh Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of additional time.
After Hwang was hesitant in clearing the ball inside the penalty area following a United corner, Schär intercepted the ball before the Wolves forward swiped down the Swiss defender inside the box, with Wilson dispatching his 13th consecutive spot-kick for the Magpies, with the 12-yard attempt proving too strong for Sá to keep out as the ball snuck into the net.
Joelinton almost extended the Magpies’ lead further before the break as the Brazil international drifted past a group of defenders in a positive run but his tame effort was comfortably held by Sá.
In the second half, Newcastle were reduced to a number of clear-cut goalscoring chances as Almirón’s flashed pass across the face of goal evaded a United attacker inside the penalty area.
Pope produced a key block to prevent Cunha from netting an equaliser as the Brazilian was picked out by Neto on the byline but the Newcastle goalkeeper rushed out to smother the attempt on goal.
In the 71st minute, Newcastle’s one-goal cushion was distinguished through Hwang’s strike. After Wolves retrieved the ball following Pope’s punched clearance, Toti darted inside from the right flank before the defender’s pass found Hwang, who evaded Dan Burn’s sliding challenge before slotting the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Fabian Schär almost sent United into the lead for a third time of the evening as the Switzerland international advanced forward from distance before eventually getting onto the end of Trippier’s floated cross inside the box but the centre-back’s header was steered wide of the target.
With eight minutes of stoppage-time awarded, United pushed forward for a late winner as Trippier’s inviting corner fell into the path of Wilson but the Coventry-born striker was unable to record a first hat-trick in Newcastle colours after his shot was blocked inside a crowded box.
