Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
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Report and free highlights as Newcastle lose Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle to injuries in stalemate at Molineux
Saturday 11 January 2020 19:59, UK
Newcastle battled through more injury issues to end a three-match losing run and earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Wolves.
Miguel Almiron gave Newcastle the lead with a fine first-time finish in the seventh minute.
But the visitors - who already have a substantial injury list - then had Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle forced off with injuries, either side of Leander Dendoncker equalising for Wolves from a corner in the 14th minute.
Martin Dubravka made brilliant saves to deny Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto from close range, and Matt Doherty had a shot cleared off the line, but otherwise Newcastle defended resolutely to secure a point.
While Steve Bruce's side should be content with the result considering their injury problems, it was a frustrating afternoon for Wolves, particularly in the second half when they laboured in attack and looked short of ideas.
Newcastle made a positive start and took the lead with a nicely-worked move in the seventh minute, Gayle flicking the ball into the path of Almiron, who finished into the roof of the net with a fine first-time effort.
However, Newcastle then suffered a trio of setbacks.
First, Dummett, who was making his return from four games out, was forced off with injury. Then Wolves equalised as Dendoncker volleyed in from a corner in the 14th minute, before Gayle went off with an apparent hamstring injury just before the half-hour mark.
Wolves then enjoyed the better of the final 15 minutes of the first half but Dubravka made a brilliant save to deny Jimenez from close range.
The home side also went close shortly after the restart as Doherty saw a shot cleared off the line by Matty Longstaff.
But that was a rare opportunity for Wolves as they struggled to break down Newcastle's well-organised defence.
Newcastle themselves created no chances but held on for a point thanks to another good stop from Dubravka, who dived to push away a close-range header from Neto.
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo: "I am not frustrated. I am aware of what happened. We didn't play so well, enough to unlock a very organised team. Not fast enough. Even though we created chances I think the Newcastle goalkeeper had a very good game which kept them in the game. We didn't create too many but we had enough clear chances. Of course we are not happy and we must improve."
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce: "For the resilience and what we have had to put up with then I am sure we have deserved something.
"The goalkeeper has made two great saves, we are not going to deny that, but up until we had to make the changes I thought we were a constant threat and scored a great goal. Unfortunately we gave a poor goal away and after that we have been rock solid again and the goalkeeper has got us a point, which you always take away from in the Premier League."
A tough call between Dubravka and Almiron, who was excellent after scoring the opening goal and bursting with energy throughout.
However, Dubravka made two excellent saves to ensure Newcastle secured a point. The first from Jimenez was a particularly impressive reaction stop as he stuck out a leg to keep out his header from close range.
Wolves travel to Manchester United in their FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday (7.45pm) before a trip to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm).
Newcastle have back-to-back home games as they host Rochdale in their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday (7.45pm) and then face Chelsea on Saturday, live on Sky Sports (5.30pm).
