Newcastle leave it late to pinch point

Jacob Murphy’s late free-kick snatched a point for Newcastle at Wolves. The winger scored his first Premier League goal for the Magpies in almost three years to clinch a 1-1 draw at Molineux.

Raul Jimenez’s excellent half-volley with 10 minutes left looked to have given dominant Wolves the points, but Murphy’ s leveller denied Nu no Espirito Santo’s side the chance to climb into the top four, while the Magpies remain well clear of any early trouble in 14th.

Newcastle were on the back foot for much of the game and the hosts were slicker throughout.

They underlined their intentions when goalkeeper Karl Darlow saved Daniel Podence’s low drive in the opening five minutes. The forward also lashed over after Jeff Hendrick dawdled and lost possession.

Newcastle were tame but Max Kilman still had to block Callum Wilson’s shot after Murphy’s excellent pass slipped him in.

It was a rare opening for the visitors, with Wilson often isolated, but they slowly reined Wolves in to gain a grip of the game.

The hosts’ threat had waned after their bright start, but Pedro Neto and Podence remained a danger with Jamal Lewis and Murphy often struggling to contain the widemen.

However, Newcastle almost caught out keeper Rui Patricio when Allan Saint-Maxim in’ ss hot clipped Nelson Semedo.

In the second half, United relied on sporadic breaks and Miguel Almiron’s shot was blocked after good work from Murphy and Wilson on the hour.

The visitors defended valiantly until Jimenez struck with 10 minutes left. Neto’s free-kick was cleared to the striker, lurking on the edge of the area, and he cracked in a fine half-volley from 18 yards.

But there was still another late twist when, after Conor Coady felled Wilson on the edge of the box, Murphy curled a clever low free- kick around the wall and into the bottom corner with a minute left.

Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy after his free-kick leveller.