Rafa’s raging as Wolves steal a last-gasp point
WILLY BOLY broke Newcastle’s hearts with a controversial late equaliser which left Rafa Benitez fuming on the sidelines.
It happened with almost the last touch of the game in the 95th minute, with Boly rising to head a Adama Traore cross out of the hands of Martin Dubravka. It cracked Newcastle’s resilience after Isaac Hayden had put the visitors ahead.
Wolves had entered the match in peak form following three consecutive wins and off the back of a few days training in Marbella. But Newcastle’s gameplan worked perfectly to eclipse Nuno Espirito Santo’s sunny demeanour.
There was a debut for Newcascame tle’s record-signing Miguel Almiron, who was sent on in the second half and showed flashes of the quality he is expected to bring.
The hosts’ Raul Jimenez got an early effort away when found by Matt Doherty’s cross but it went high over the bar.
For Wolves, Boly headed over a Moutinho corner, then a fine Ruben Neves pass freed Jimenez to attack DeAndre Yedlin on the left. The Wolves striker cut inside and struck firmly, the ball deflecting off Schar to make Dubravka’s save all the more impressive.
Gradually though, Newcastle began to cause problems. Shortly before the break Hayden picked out Salomon Rondon with a cross but the Venezuelan couldn’t get enough direction on his header and Rui Patricio gathered.
Matt Ritchie then demanded a penalty when blocked off by Doherty as Ayoze Perez’s pass his way. But Doherty had used his strength fairly and instead of getting a spot-kick Ritchie’s protests earned him a booking.
On the stroke of half-time, another Perez pass sent Rondon clear with only Conor Coady to beat. But Coady gritted his teeth and flew into a tremendous block that nudged Rondon’s shot wide.
Four minutes into the second half Wolves should have taken the lead. Moutinho hit a corner with customary accuracy, Ryan Bennett flicked on and Doherty, arriving at the far post, had much of the goal to aim for with his header. But Sean Longstaff swivelled to raise his boot just enough to put off Doherty, who hit over.
The miss would be punished in the 56th minute. Ritchie shifted the ball quickly from the left infield, 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 near-post shot that seemed to take Patricio by surprise. That he was expecting an effort far-post can be Patricio’s only excuse because in the end he crumbled and allowed the ball through his grasp and over the line. It was a routine save for a goalkeeper of his calibre.
Wolves created two good chances instantly but found Dubravka in fine form. First he held Jota’s shot from range, then Leander Dendon- cker’s header from close in.
Benitez waited until 18 minutes from time to give Almiron his debut and the £20million signing took the field to loud cheers from the Newcastle fans. WOLVES (3-4-1-2): Patricio 4; Bennett 6.5, Coady 7, Boly 6; Doherty 7 (Traore 82min), Neves 7, Dendoncker 7 (Cavaleiro 69, 6), Jonny 7; Moutinho 7; Jimenez 7, Jota 7 (Costa 69, 6). Booked: Jota. Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 7. NEWCASTLE (3-5-2): Dubravka 7; Schar 7, Lascelles 7.5, Lejeune 6.5; Yedlin 7, Hayden 7.5 (Diame 86), LONGSTAFF 8, Atsu 7 (Almiron 72, 6), Ritchie 7; Perez 7 (Manquillo 90), Rondon 7. Booked: Ritchie, Schar, Lascelles. Manager: Rafael Benitez 8. Referee: Graham Scott 7. Attendance: 30,687.