Newcastle 3-0 Wolves: Player ratings as Magpies cruise to first home win of 2024

Newcastle United returned to winning ways in the Premier League as they beat a depleted Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.

First-half goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon set the Magpies on their way, and despite Wolves offering more in the second half, Newcastle's victory was sealed at the death by Tino Livramento.

Saturday's win takes Eddie Howe's side up to eighth in the Premier League table, while Wolves remain in tenth.

How the game unfolded

There was perhaps an expectation, given their success against some of the big boys this season, that Wolves would aim to contain the hosts and spring on the counter-attack. However, it was Newcastle who had all the first-half joy in transition.

The Magpies pressed smartly, especially in midfield, against O'Neil's side, and they took the lead in the opening 20 minutes following an excellent counter-attack rounded off by Isak.

Gordon, who often opted against aiding Dan Burn in the defensive third, played a big role in Newcastle's opener, and the winger then doubled Newcastle's lead before half-time. The Magpies bypassed Wolves' block via Joe Willock in midfield, with Gordon eventually tapping into an empty net after Jose Sa made a mess of Jacob Murphy's cross.

Despite the odd bright moment from Pedro Neto and occasional impressive build-up sequence, Wolves had little to show for their first-half efforts. Their bid for a second-half comeback was made harder by Neto's forced withdrawal, with O'Neil also unable to call upon Hwang Hee-chan, Matheus Cunha and Joao Gomes for this fixture.

However, there was an upsurge from the visitors after the restart and they looked more likely to grab the third goal before Eddie Howe's triple substitution tilted the game back in Newcastle's favour. Martin Dubravka was forced to save smartly from Nathan Fraser and Pablo Sarabia.

Wolves let their moment pass, however, and substitute Livramento was on hand to bundle home a third for Newcastle in stoppage time.

Newcastle player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Martin Dubravka - 8/10 - Looked like he was in for an anonymous outing, but he produced two fine second-half saves and was fully deserving of a rare clean sheet.

RB: Kieran Trippier - 6/10 - There were a couple of loose early moments from the right-back, but he settled into proceedings and backed up the Newcastle press well. Injured at the start of the second half.

CB: Fabian Schar - 7/10 - Made a decisive intervention to deny Neto in the opening stages and barely put a foot wrong in this one.

CB: Sven Botman - 6/10 - Wolves' channel running gave the returning Botman something to think about, but the Dutchman was dominant in duels.

LB: Dan Burn - 6/10 - Neto undoubtedly had the beating of Burn, but the winger had got at the left-back once or twice. The Newcastle man also supported Gordon ably in attack.

CM: Bruno Guimaraes - 8/10 - His burst was key in Newcastle's opener and while this wasn't an all-encompassing display from the Brazilian, Guimaraes nonetheless produced a couple of genius moments in possession.

CM: Sean Longstaff - 5/10 - Ghosted throughout the contest without having much of an impact.

CM: Joe Willock - 7/10 - Willock's return has undoubtedly been welcomed by the St James' Park faithful. The box-crashing midfielder had a hand in his side's second goal and came within an outstanding clearance of getting on the scoresheet himself.

RW: Jacob Murphy - 8/10 - Selfless as ever, Murphy was also a final third contributor on Saturday afternoon. Thought he was excellent before his second-half substitution.

ST: Alexander Isak - 7/10 - It was a fairly quiet outing for Isak aside from his goal.

LW: Anthony Gordon - 8/10 - Gordon had to pick his moments, but this was a mightily efficient performance from the wide man. Gordon was Newcastle's chief threat on the counter and was quickest to react to Sa's error in the first half.

Substitutes

SUB: Tino Livramento (52' for Trippier) - 7/10

SUB: Harvey Barnes (70' for Isak) - 6/10

SUB: Miguel Almiron (70' for Murphy) - 7/10

SUB: Lewis Miley (70' for Willock) - 6/10

SUB: Elliot Anderson (93' for Gordon) N/A

Subs not used: Lorius Karius (GK), Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth, Lewis Hall

Manager: Eddie Howe - 8/10 - The Newcastle boss' ploy worked a treat as the hosts had plenty of joy on the counter while limiting Wolves for the first hour. His subs restored the Magpies' momentum in the second half.

Wolves player ratings (3-4-3)

GK: Jose Sa - 4/10 - Made a mess of Murphy's cross which led to Newcastle's second and was forced off at half-time.

CB: Max Kilman - 6/10 - It's always hard to deal with a direct Gordon, and Kilman had some issues. Defended stoutly in the second period.

CB: Craig Dawson - 7/10 - The veteran defended Newcastle's first goal well and was unfortunate that his deflection found Isak's head. A calm figure throughout and tamed Isak.

CB: Toti Gomes - 6/10 - Confident in possession and found himself in advanced areas on occasion. His highlight was a superb goal-line clearance to deny Willock in the second half.

RWB: Nelson Semedo - 7/10 - After a fairly awkward first-half display in the final third, Semedo offered a threat after the restart with a couple of excellent crosses. Gordon did have joy in the space vacated by the wing-back, however.

CM: Mario Lemina - 7/10 - Lemina was heavily involved in all phases and took some responsibility amid an ailing attacking performance from the visitors. Screened his centre-backs well.

CM: Tommy Doyle - 6/10 - Doyle also defended well in settled play, but his passing was haphazard after a bright start.

LWB: Rayan Ait-Nouri - 7/10 - Technically brilliant and defensively canny, Ait Nouri produced a fine all-round effort at St James' Park. Booked late on.

RW: Pedro Neto - 6/10 - The brightest Wolves spark in the opening period but was withdrawn at half-time having taken a knock to the Achilles.

ST: Pablo Sarabia - 6/10 - The Spaniard had his moments in possession and caused some issues from between the lines. Should've scored midway through the second half.

LW: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde - 6/10 - Was more effective when he dropped into midfield and saw more of the ball. Created a good chance for Sarabia.

Substitutes

SUB: Dan Bentley (46' for Sa) - 6/10

SUB: Nathan Fraser (46' for Neto) - 6/10

SUB: Hugo Bueno (59' for Toti) - 5/10

SUB: Tawanda Chiwera (81' for Bellgarde) - 5/10

SUB: Boubacar Traore (81' for Lemina) - 5/10

Subs not used: Matt Doherty, Santiago Bueno, Boubacar Traore, Noha Lemina, Hugo Bueno, Wesley Okoduwa, Tawanda Chirewa

Manager: Gary O'Neil - 6/10 - The Wolves boss was dealt a tough hand, especially with Neto succumbing midway through. However, he did inspire a resurgence after the break despite the adversity. Wolves just weren't clinical when they needed to be.

Player of the match: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

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