Wolves 1-1 Newcastle: Willy Boly scores injury-time equaliser, Rafael Benitez furious | Football | Sport

After a run of three successive wins, Wolves looked like they were about to come unstuck as Isaac Hayden gave the visitors the lead 11 minutes into the second half while the home side’s attack failed to catch fire.

Striker Raul Jimenez had a night to forget, blazing over the bar in the first half and heading the ball wide with the goal at his mercy late in the second.

Newcastle’s record signing Miguel Almiron, the Paraguayan striker who joined from MLS side Atlanta United, gave the visiting fans plenty to cheer about as he made his debut.

Those cheers turned to howls of rage in stoppage time as Boly heading in the equaliser after beating Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka to the ball.

WOLVES 1-1 NEWCASTLE | HAYDEN (56), BOLY (95)

Wolves XI: Patricio, Doherty, Bennett, Boly, Coady, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Jimenez, Jota

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lejeune, Schar, Lascelles, Ritchie, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu, Perez, Rondon

• Ritchie, Schar and Jota all booked
• Doherty spoons header from two yards
• Record signing Miguel Almiron makes debut
• Isaac Hayden opens the scoring, Patricio mistake
• Willy Boly heads in 95th-minute equaliser

‘I was not happy with some decisions’

22:20: Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez: “These kind of balls you can do a little bit better, punch the ball. That’s it.

“It was not very clear watching the replay. It is something we have to defend better. We know it is England and people will come to the keeper.

“I was not happy with some decisions from the referee, but overall he was fine.”

‘I didn’t see it’

22:25: Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: “It came late, but the performance deserved goals.

“We created situations but the final touch was not there. It is something we must improve and be more clinical. Credit to Newcastle they were so organised. Last minute shows the character of the team.

Asked his thought on whether the Newcastle goalkeeper was fouled, he added: “I didn’t see the images yet.

“I will answer this question in the press conference of course. I don’t judge the work of the referees because it is so hard. The referees are so well prepared and must decide in a second.

“We should have done better, but the effort in the last minute and the way they believed shows character. But we require a lot of improvement.”

‘We believed’

22:20: Wolves captain Conor Coady speaking to Sky Sports: “We always keep going right to the end, it epitomises this team. We were never going to stop and I thought we deserved something out of the game.

“We kept on going and got the draw in the end. We always believed in ourselves, we have some real good characters in the squad. Newcastle set up well and they frustrated us but I thought we deserved a point. We are improving, we still have some improving to do, but to show fight like that is encouraging.”

‘Deserved three points’

22:15: Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s difficult to put into words. I don’t know whether it’s a foul or not, it looked a foul from the bench. It’s just another bit of bad luck on our part. We deserved the three points but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Shearer’s verdict

22:10: Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has given his opinion on Willy Boly’s goal.

“FFS. A battling performance. Goalkeeper should be stronger,” he wrote on twitter.

Push or no push?

22:05: I suspect we’re going to be discussing whether or not Willy Boly pushed Martin Dubravka long into the night.

I’ve seen the replay a dozen times and the centre-back down make contact with the goalkeeper – but there’s not much at all.

I have to say I think the goal should stand. And if Dubravka elects to punch it – we wouldn’t be discussing this right now.

Now, the fact referee Graham Scott played five minutes of added time when only four was allotted CAN be questioned. Then again, Newcastle did make a sub and it’s a ‘minimum’ of four minutes.

Late revival

22:03: No side has scored more 90+ minute goals in the Premier League this season than Wolves (5 – level with Manchester United and Cardiff).

‘Newcastle deserved it’ – Carragher

21:59:  “In some ways you have to credit both teams,” he said. “You can only admire scoring of late goals, but I think Newcastle deserved it with how difficult they made it. It was a really good goal, and it looked like a really typical Rafa Benitez away win. He looked furious at the end.”

Rafa raging

21:55: It’s hard to describe the colour of Rafa Benitez’s face right now. The Newcastle manager is seething about Willy Boly’s equaliser. He’s not stopped talking to himself since the decision.

WOLVES 1-1 NEWCASTLE

FT: Pain. Absolute pain for Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle side.

WOLVES 1-1 NEWCASTLE | BOLY

95: It’s there! Absolute scenes at Molineux as Wolves somehow grab themselves a 95th-minute equaliser!

Newcastle simply can’t clear their lines and Adama Traore floats a cross to the back post. Defender Willy Boly challenges Martin Dubravka in the air and the goalkeeper fails to punch the ball clear and Boly heads in.

Everyone looks at the referee… the goal stands!

94: Adama Traore wins the corner with seconds left on the clock… Dubravka flies off his line (he’s nowhere near the ball) and Lejeune clears.

92: Play it earlier! Almiron makes the overlap for Rondon but the striker delays, delays and delays. Chance gone.

90: That would have settled a few nerves. Matt Ritchie slips Almiron in down the left touchline and his cross is flicked over the crossbar by Perez.

Four minutes of added time shown as Rafa makes a change. Perez off, Manquillo on.

88: A succession of corners for Wolves lead to nothing. The Toon have everyone back defending for their lives. Remember, a win would see them move three points clear of the relegation zone.

86: Jimenez follows that up with a solo run and a wild half-volley that flies out for a throw-in on the other side of the field. Mo Diame replaces goalscorer Isaac Hayden.

85: OH MY WORD! Raul Jimenez has missed a golden opportunity. The substitute Traore wriggles his way to the byline before flicking it inside for the striker to head tamely wide from five yards. That should have been 1-1.

83: Third and final change for Wolves as Adama Traore is sent on in place of Matt Doherty.

81: Ivan Cavaleiro decides a shot from 25-yards is the solution to Wolves’ problems. It wasn’t as the ball flies high into the stands.

79: Newcastle have managed this game extremely well since taking the lead. Wolves haven’t had a sniff in quite some time as we enter the final ten minutes.

76: Miguel Almiron is already causing Matt Doherty a few problems. The Paraguayan is so quick off the mark and forces the full-back into a nervy clearance.

Seconds later Mourinho is forced to hack down the debutant who was looking to drive straight down the middle of the field.

73: Here he comes! Newcastle’s record signing Miguel Almiron makes his debut. Let’s see what this fella is capable of.

His first involvement is to fly around the pitch and shove Bennett over the touchline. Penalised by the referee, adored by the travelling fans for a spirited run.

70: Nuno makes a double change. Cavaleiro and Helder Costa are on in place of Dendoncker and Jota. Wolves gearing up for a BIG 20 minutes here at Molineux Stadium.

68: Salomon Rondon looks to bully his way through thee Wolves defenders. He doesn’t manage to pull the trigger but eats up precious moments and gives his defenders a rest.

Booked! Jamaal Lascelles sees Jonny embarking on a solo run forward and chops him down. Cynical.

66: Wolves pour forward in search of an equaliser but Doherty’s shot is blocked in the box. It was actually heading in until the backside of Raul Jimenez stopped it…

64: Isaac Hayden scored only his second Premier League goal and his first in 31 appearances, since netting against Southampton in October 2017.

62: I see Nuno Espirito Santo looking at his bench for a game-changer. There’s no shortage with Traore, Cavaleiro, Gibbs-White and Saiss warming up.

59: Nearly an instant response from Wolves. Diogo Jota finds space before seeing a drilled effort saved by Dubravka.

The Toon stopper, who was suspect for Tottenham’s winner last weekend, makes amends by holding onto Leander Dendoncker’s header a few moments later.

WOLVES 0-1 NEWCASTLE | HAYDEN

56: Huge goal for Newcastle! A huge goal that could be the difference between relegation and Premier League survival.

Isaac Hayden finds space in the penalty area and his shot is too powerful for Rui Patricio and beats him at the near post.

Questions will be asked about the Wolves stopper I’m afraid. Very weak attempt.

55: Handbags! Oh we’ve got a bit of spice here now as Schar and Jota push their heads together in anger after a clumsy challenge from the Newcastle defender.

Graham Scott reaches into his pocket and dishes out yellow cards for the pair.

54: Yedlin advances down the right and sends over a cross, but when the ball comes back to him – he completely misses the ball. Ironic cheers follow, obviously.

51: That second-half goals tally really should have been added to through Matt Doherty, who has missed an absolute sitter!

The corner is allowed to bounce across the six-yard box for the full-back. He dives forward and spoons the ball over the crossbar from no more than three yards.

48: Did I mention that 73 percent of Wolves’ Premier League goals this season have come during the second half? It’s the highest percentage in the competition (24/33).

WOLVES 0-0 NEWCASTLE

45: And we’re back underway. Thought the lads in the Sky Sports studio were a bit harsh over the break. They were taking like this was a total bore.

Anyway, no changes for either side at half time.

Twitter round-up

Daniel: Refereeing performances have been criticised a lot recently so lets applaud one for a change. Graham Scott was superb in that first half. The Atsu challenge in the penalty box and booking Ritchie for dissent. Good to see!

Alex: Number of premier league players who take set pieces and can’t clear the first man is unbelievable. Moutinho, who I like a lot, has been guilty a few times already.

Terry: If Wolves can keep their star players and possibly add one or two, I can see them breaking into the top 6 next season!

WOLVES 0-0 NEWCASTLE

HT: Rondon with a golden opportunity before the break. The striker beats his man and shoots, but it’s diverted behind for a corner which Boly heads clear.

It took a while to catch fire but things were certainly heating up before Graham Scott blew for half time.

45: Booked! It’s kicking off, folks! Matt Ritchie plays a one-two with Ayoze Perez before going down under a challenge from Matt Doherty. Not much contact but the Newcastle winger loses the plot and is cautioned for dissent.

44: Good play from the Magpies as Hayden’s cross finds Rondon in the middle, but his header is straight at Patricio.

Wolves respond with a corner. The ball is cleared out to Jonny, whose fierce low strike is well held by Dubravka.

43: I really should have said that we were going to see ‘goals aplenty’ tonight at Molineux. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a good watch and quite entertaining. Just need a goal to spark the mayhem…

40:  “Hard to dislike Wolves as a neutral. Consistent quality attacking football and a very charismatic manager,” Callum on Twitter. You’re not wrong there.

38: Best chance of the evening goes the way of Raul Jimenez. He gives Yedlin the slip before Dubravka gets down to his left to palm away the deflected shot.

36: Big block! Willy Boly races to meet a corner from the right but there’s Schar with a terrific block. Dubravka collects the rebound and punts it into orbit. Rondon a little bit isolated in attack and can’t hold it up.

33: Fabian Schar, who scored twice against Cardiff recently, fires from distance but he’s arrowed that well wide of the target.

30: Mike Ashley is watching on at Molineux. Less said abut that the better I suppose…

Wolves continue to attack and Newcastle continue to defend resolutely. Story of Newcastle’s season I suppose – but perhaps that’s not a problem considering they have the sixth best defensive record in the Premier League.

Ah, but the second worst attacking record…

28: Frantic stuff as Wolves turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye. A counter sees the hosts with a 4 vs 3 situation and Lejeune makes a tremendous last-ditch tackle as Neves was about to pull the trigger.

25: Jota gets to the byline and crosses but it flies beyond his intended target in the middle. Yedlin at fault a few minutes later when caught napping by Jonny.

22: Samuel Eto’o is conducting a cheeky Q&A on Twitter guys. Surprisingly not been asked what on earth went on when he joined Everton for six months…

21: Schar caught ball-watching an nearly pays the price. Doherty is allowed to stride forward and finds Jimenez inside the penalty area, but his half-volley flies over the crossbar.

Wolves turning up the heat.

18: Penalty appeal! Wolves fans are incensed. Christian Atsu tackles Raul Jimenez from behind inside the penalty area and the striker goes to ground.

On first glance it looks a stonewall penalty, but replays show the winger won the ball. Great decision from referee Graham Scott.

15: Wolves enjoying 67 per cent possession in the opening quarter-hour. Still haven’t had a shot on target though. The closest they’ve come is a deflected angled strike from Diogo Jota.

13: Suicidal ball from Lejeune. He lazily gifts a nothing pass straight to Jimenez, who is quickly halted by Lascelles. Fabian Schar is there to clear when the ball reaches Jota on the left.

10: Well Rafa Benitez will be pleased with his side in the opening ten minutes. The visitors have pressed well and aren’t afraid of committing bodies forward.

Wolves playing well but haven’t clicked into second gear yet.

8: Anger from Wolves fans as Jota’s deflected effort is given as a goal kick. They were also appealing for a penalty with Lascelles stuck to the Wolves man like glue inside the box.

Referee Graham Scott isn’t interested. Nor am I.

5: Close! Jonny (in my FPL team) collects a diagonal pass from Jota (in my FPL team) before attempting a low cross to Jimenez (also in my FPL team) who can’t quite reach it.

Rondon drives down the other end and draws a decent save from Patricio.

3: Newcastle showing some attacking intent in the opening stages. Good to see Isaac Hayden looking to push forward and provide some support for Rondon. No chances but you sense we could have goals aplenty tonight.

WOLVES 0-0 NEWCASTLE

1: And we’re off! Wolves looking to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since January 1972, Newcastle aiming to stop them.

Prediction

19:58: I can see Rafa pulling off an unlikely result tonight. I’ll sit firmly on that fence by predicting a 1-1 draw.

Reminder

19:55: Quick reminder of tonight’s line-ups.

Wolves XI: Patricio, Doherty, Bennett, Boly, Coady, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Jimenez, Jota.

Subs: Ruddy, Cavaleiro, Costa, Gibbs-White, Saiss, Vinagre, Traore.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lejeune, Schar, Lascelles, Ritchie, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu, Perez, Rondon.

Subs: Woodman, Diame, Kenedy, Fernandez, Manquillo, Joselu, Almiron.

Lights, Camera…

19:50: Action! The lights show is underway at Molineux. Nobody hypes an evening game quite like the Premier League newcomers.

Aaron Ramsey statement

19:45: So here is Aaron Ramsey’s farewell statement to Arsenal supporters. Turns out you can be very humble when you’re about to earn £400k per week. Yes, I’m a bitter old man.

He wrote on Instagram: “I wanted to issue a personal statement for all the Arsenal fans who have been extremely loyal and supportive. You welcomed me as a teenager and have been there for me through all the highs and lows I have encountered during my time at the club.

“It is with a heavy heart that I leave after 11 incredible years in north London. Thank you. I will continue to give the team 100 per cent and hope to finish the season strongly, before heading on to my next chapter in Turin.”

Twitter round-up

Brad: Aaron Ramsey on £400k a week with new deal at Juventus is mind numbing. Most human beings wouldn’t earn that in their lifetime let alone in a week. Football is a business that is treating the fans like garbage.

Rob: £400k a week for Aaron Ramsey – would rather Gordon Ramsey!

Nico: Stripes on. Knopfler on the cans. A young lad called Almiron to make his debut. Feeling cautiously positive for once.

Revenge

19:35: Rafael Benitez has told his players to forget about revenge.

Easier said than done, Rafa.

The Magpies lost 2-1 in controversial circumstances at St James’ Park with Matt Doherty’s late header securing the points as Ayoze Perez lay prone in the opposition penalty area after being caught by Willy Boly’s flying elbow.

Benitez, who had earlier seen full-back DeAndre Yedlin harshly sent off for a professional foul, was incensed on the final whistle but has insisted his team must forget that sense of injustice this weekend.

He said: “We knew after the game watching the replays that everything was wrong and we didn’t deserve to lose the game, but we cannot change that.

“We have to concentrate now on this one. It’s an opportunity for us because every game for us is a final, so this is the first one and we have to play all the finals with everybody concentrated and focused on that.”

Raul warning

19:30: Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has warned Newcastle’s record buy Miguel Almiron he must adapt quickly to be a Premier League hit.

Mexican Jimenez has been an instant success for Wolves since moving from Benfica on loan, scoring 11 times, and has told Almiron the Premier League is a level up.

“It’s a very big step, it’s very, very different,” Jimenez said. “I wasn’t in the MLS but it’s more or less like Mexico and I think it’s a very big step for him.

“(To be a success you need) to have confidence, to be part of the team as quickly as possible, to feel you are an important part and do what you have to do, as always.”

Warm weather training

19:25: Sky Sports have just interviewed Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo and asked if their warm weather training has helped his side…

What d’ya think he said? “Not really, It’s freezing in England and me and the boys just fancied a holiday.”

Of course he didn’t say that. He was very glowing about their time away and kept his cards close to his chest about tactics for tonight’s clash.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Wolves players posting picture of their feet next to swimming pools on Instagram though.

Resurgent

19:23: After a run of 10 straight Premier League defeats in games played on Monday, Newcastle have won two of their last three such matches, including their last one at Burnley in November.

Twitter round-up

Gary: Hope we haven’t put too much pressure on Almiron’s shoulders with all the hype; he’ll likely need time to settle in, so let’s not all crazy if he has a quiet game!

Lewis: Why pay £21million for a player, break your record transfer and then put him on the bench! It’s like buying a house and then sleeping in a tent outside.

Tina: I’ve been hounded by Newcastle fans all day. Please Wolves, please make my Tuesday bearable. My line manager is a Toon fan and I have a meeting with him on Wednesday!

Great analogy, Lewis. Not convinced it’s 100 per cent the same – but I appreciate the enthusiasm.

Obscene

19:18: I mean… come on! £400,000 per week wages for Aaron Ramsey?!

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I understand they don’t have to pay a transfer fee – but that is pure insanity.

*Makes mental note to try and find his agent’s contact number*

It’s official…

19:15: Aaron Ramsey has signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus today and will earn around £400,000-a-week.

The Welsh international has agreed a four-year contract that will see him join the Italian champions as a free agent.

Ramsey, 28, passed a two-part medical with Juventus in January and becomes the highest-earning British player ever based on basic salary.

Arsenal will receive no fee when his contract expires on June 30.

Team news – Newcastle

19:10: So aside from leaving record signing Miguel Almiron on the bench, what has Rafa Benitez done?

Well, nothing. He keeps faith with the same side that narrowly lost to Tottenham in their last Premier League game.

Salomon Rondon leads the line with Christian Atsu and Ayoze Perez on either flank.

Team news – Wolves

19:05: Well Fantasy Football managers, including myself, are delighted with Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting XI.

He’s resisted the urge to make any changes from the side who beat Everton 3-1 last weekend.

That means Matt Doherty and Jonny provide the width at wing-back with Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez leading the attack.

Flying

19:04: Wolves are looking to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since January 1972. They’ve scored a total of 10 goals in their last three games.

The line-ups…

19:00: And the headline news is… Miguel Almiron starts on the bench this evening – completely ruining my next pre-written updated. Thanks Rafa.

Wolves XI: Patricio, Doherty, Bennett, Boly, Coady, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Jimenez, Jota.

Subs: Ruddy, Cavaleiro, Costa, Gibbs-White, Saiss, Vinagre, Traore.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lejeune, Schar, Lascelles, Ritchie, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu, Perez, Rondon.

Subs: Woodman, Diame, Kenedy, Fernandez, Manquillo, Joselu, Almiron.

‘Tough night for Wolves’

18:58: That’s the opinion of Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who expects a Rafa Benitez masterclass this evening.

“I expect Newcastle to make it difficult for Wolves. Rafa will be thinking they don’t have the players to take on Wolves, which is a sad state of affairs that they can’t even compete with Wolverhampton Wanderers. They are difficult to beat – it will be a tough night for Wolves,” Carragher said.

Miguel Almiron…

18:55: Will Rafa Benitez handing a Premier League debut to record signing Miguel Almiron?

You would hope so given Newcastle fans have waited since around 300 BC for the club to break their transfer fee.

The Paraguay forward completed a deadline day switch from MLS side Atlanta United as Benitez’s pleas for financial support from owner Mike Ashley finally paid dividends.

We’ll know the BIG decision in just a few minutes…

Evening…

18:50: Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League.

Did you enjoy your Monday?

I was supposed to smash the gym and accomplish lots of life goals today but decided to watch three episodes of True Detective instead.

And as we know, better life choices can only start on a Monday. Guess I’ll have to wait another six days now…

Anyway, we’re at Molineux Stadium tonight to see whether Newcastle can escape their perilous position or if Wolves can continue their impressive top-flight debut season.

Should be a cracking evening. Let’s have those line-ups!

WOLVES vs NEWCASTLE

Wolves have been on a training camp in Marbella.

Diogo Jota missed Tuesday’s 3-2 FA Cup replay win over Shrewsbury with a knock but is expected to return, along with Ruben Neves, who was on the bench. Ruben Vinagre missed the game due to a virus but should also be available for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who travel back from Spain on Sunday.

Newcastle’s record signing Miguel Almiron is available for the first time and could make the squad after training with his team-mates since Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow (elbow), defender Paul Dummett (hamstring), midfielders Mohamed Diame (hip) and Ki Sung-yueng (hamstring) and striker Joselu (ankle) are fit and frontman Yoshinori Muto is back from the Asian Cup. Only keeper Rob Elliot (back) and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) remain on the casualty list, although the latter is back in training and close to a return.

Last five league matches: Wolves L L W W W; Newcastle L L W W L

Top scorers (all competitions): Raul Jimenez (Wolves) 11; Salomon Rondon (Newcastle) 7

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)