Rafa’s raging as Wolves steal a last-gasp point
Rafa Benitez strode on to the pitch in a rage after seeing his side concede a 95th-minute equaliser that deprived newcastle a vital victory in their fight against the drop.
Benitez’s ire was focused on referee Graham Scott, who allowed Wily Boly’s late header to stand despite the Wolves defender having his hands on goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
newcastle were seconds nds away from a win to go three points clear of the relegation places when adama traore hooked a high, hopeful cross into the box. Dubravka hesitated and Boly jumped across to nod the ball across the line and spark rapture among the home fans at Molineux.
Benitez felt a foul l should have been n awarded but in the e immediate aftermath Jamaal Lascelles focused on Dubravka, whose mistake against tottenham last time out sent t newcastle to defeat.
Lascelles laid into Dubravka ravka ver verbally and it seemed for a moment the altercation might get physical.
Benitez veered between anger at the officials and frustration at his goalkeeper. ‘i didn’t like the challenge at the end,’ he said. ‘ You have to protect the keeper. in england they don’t understand the rules. i can say many things but it will not change anything.’
He added: ‘ Martin was talking about more protection. Jamaal was saying that maybe Martin could deal with the cross in another way. it is a bad way to concede.’
it was a fifth Premier League goal after 90 minutes for Wolves this season — no team has more — and given one came in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park in December, to inflict defeat, Benitez’s irritation was enhanced.
Up until that point, newcastle’s gameplan had worked perfectly, with isaac Hayden scoring his first goal since October 2017, benefiting from more suspect goalkeeping.
Hayden’s shot was not the hardest or most accurate but Rui Patricio crumbled in response and allowed it to drop over the line at his near post. Hayden was very nearly granted his wish to leave the club in January for family reasons and a move further south to aston Villa was only halted when newcastle failed to sign a replacement.
But nuno espirito Santo’s team fought right to the end. ‘it came late, but the performance deserved goals,’ said nuno. ‘the last minute shows the character of the team. We did a lot of moments like this. for that i am really pleased. it brings some justice.’
Wolves started well and wanted a penalty in the 17th minute when Raul Jimenez fell under the challenge of Christian atsu. But the newcastle midfielder got the ball in an excellent intervention.
a fine Ruben neves pass freed Jimenez to attack Deandre Yedlin on the left. the Wolves striker cut inside and struck a firm shot, the ball deflecting off fabian Schar to make Dubravka’s save all the more impressive. the newcastle keeper was good again when holding Jonny Otto’s fierce shot through a cluster of bodies.
Gradually, newcastle began to cause Wolves problems. On the stroke of half-time an ayoze Perez pass sent Salomon Rondon clear with only Conor Coady to beat. But Coady flew into a block that nudged Rondon’s shot wide. it was a timely act in front of england assistant manager Steve Holland.
four minutes into the second half, Wolves should have taken the lead. Joao Moutinho delivered a corner with customary accuracy, Ryan Bennett flicked on and Matt Doherty, arriving at the far post, had much of the goal to aim for with his header. But Sean Longstaff did enough to put off Doherty, who lifted his attempt over.
the miss would be punished in the 56th minute. newcastle shifted the ball quickly from the left, giving Schar space to run into from centre back. He took the invitation, charging forwards and playing a straight pass inside Boly to Hayden, who was suddenly free inside the area. Hayden turned sharply and hit a shot that should be a routine save for a keeper of Patricio’s calibre. But in it went.
in the stands, Mike ashley wore a smile a mile wide. the travelling fans sang Benitez’s name before turning their attentions to the newcastle owner and telling him, once again, to leave their club.
Benitez waited until 18 minutes from time to give record signing Miguel almiron his debut and the £20million man took the field to a great cheer. But newcastle fans would go home disappointed.