Newcastle United climbed to third in the Premier League table with three points at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Things are never easy with Newcastle United, we all know that by now, but they definitely made hard work of three points at Molineux.
But three points is all that matters, and their unbeaten start to the season rolls on to five games.
In control, they fell behind in the first half when Mario Lemina finished a swift move down the right. Then, after a number of changes, the Magpies roared into life when Fabian Schar smashed in from distance to level, with some help from Craig Dawson’s head.
Harvey Barnes then popped up with a late winner to claim all three points.
But what did we learn from it – here’s five things from the encounter.
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Newcastle United FC at Molineux on September 15, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England.Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Newcastle United FC at Molineux on September 15, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England.
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Newcastle United FC at Molineux on September 15, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. | Getty Images
Moments of brilliance and subs?
Newcastle aren’t anywhere near their fluent best at the moment, however they’re getting dug out of holes by moments of brilliance.
That, in itself, is unsustainable, but what does feel very refreshing, is the ability to call upon options off the bench.
Every week it was down to the bare bones last season, with no one to call upon in reserve, this time is so different. You’d argue, the Magpies have a stronger set of players on their bench now than they’ve ever had under Eddie Howe – and he’s needing almost every one of them.
Long may the options continue, and the injuries stay well clear.
‘Barnes will tear you apart, again’
One of the subs definitely has a case to be nowhere near the bench, such has been his start to the campaign.
It’s fair to argue, Barnes is playing his best football since arriving from Leicester City, yet Howe took him out the team for the trip to Molineux. If there’s a way to answer the manager in the right way, it’s with a goal and a match-winning performance.
It might be very hard for Howe to make the same decision again at Fulham next weekend.
Pope – all hands, not feet
Howe recently described Pope as one of the best players on the planet in his role, and to be honest, it’s easy to understand why. If keeping the ball out of the net was all he had to do, few are better, if any.
Two brilliant saves from Matheus Cunha made sure the Magpies walked with anything, never mind all three points.
The issue comes with his feet – and while there may have been some hope his time away from the team might have helped him improve in this department, he still looks very nervous under pressure in possession.
Animated Howe
He’s normally the picture of cool and calm. Head to toe, decked in black, he’s a slick operator in the dugout, who rarely gets lost in the moment. But he certainly did for Barnes’ winner.
You can tell how much that meant to him and his coaches. It was hard work, but the final third quality of the Magpies told in the end. And you could tell Howe was kicking every ball from the touchline.
More control? Still lacking
Even if United had been on the other end of a defeat, it’s hard not to argue they didn’t largely control this encounter.
I’d say, they had more control in this fixture, than any one of the four that went before it, bar 20 minutes at Forest and 15 at Bournemouth.
That’s a really positive sign, although the opposition must also be taken into account.
