Harvey Barnes and Fabian Schar scored second-half goals as Newcastle United came back to beat Wolves 2-1 at the Molineux Stadium on Sunday.
The Magpies move into third place on the table and are one of just five remaining unbeaten Premier League sides while Wolves remain one of six without a win.
Mario Lemina had put Wolves ahead before halftime and Gary O’Neil’s team was bidding to add to the first point of the season won in Week 3 at Nottingham Forest.
But Eddie Howe made three subs at the break and the Magpies took the lead before Nick Pope’s outstanding stoppage-time save on Cunha secured the win.
Magpies unbeaten, third, and not even playing that well
This is a statement that can be scary to both Newcastle United and the rest of the Premier League, as the Magpies have yet to put together a controlling performance but are still counting themselves as one of the division’s only unbeaten sides. Part of that can be down to player selection and availability, sure, but there’s just no question Newcastle should be happy to have 10 points even if it would’ve expected as much from a start of Southampton, Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Wolves. Here’s match-winner Harvey Barnes on how they can improve:
“In a lot of areas to be honest. Last year we prided ourselves on clean sheets. This year, not so many. And our attacking play is not quite clicking. You see it in spells you see glimpses of it, but last year there were times we would go into games going to score three, four, five goals. It’s a good start points-wise but performance-wise we still have a lot to build on.”
Fulham, Man City, and Everton are next, and Newcastle will surely be targeting at least six points. They’ll need to be a lot better to get there.
What’s next?
Wolves go to Brighton for a League Cup match on Wednesday before a 10am ET Saturday visit to Aston Villa in Premier League play.
Newcastle prepare for a 10am ET Saturday match at Fulham in Premier League play before their League Cup third round match at AFC Wimbledon on Sept. 24.
How to watch Wolves vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30 am ET Sunday (September 15)
Venue: Molineux Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Wolves vs Newcastle live updates — By Nick Mendola
Wolves vs Newcastle final score: 1-2
Mario Lemina, 36', Fabian Schar 75', Harvey Barnes 81'
Nick Pope denies Cunha in stoppage time
Matheus Cunha picks out a volley and curls it through traffic toward goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
Newcastle keeper Nick Pope was unsighted for a moment but reacted well to slap it away for a marvelous save of what would’ve been an even better goal.
Harvey Barnes banger! Wolves 1-2 Newcastle (81st minute)
The sub strikes with authority.
Harvey Barnes is allowed space to dance across the 18 in a bid to let loose with his right foot, and he sure does that.
A gorgeous hit to make it 2-1 late at the Molineux.
Fabian Schar goal! Wolves 1-1 Newcastle (75th minute)
Bruno Guimaraes lays off for Fabian Schar, who loves a dig from distance.
The Swiss veteran’s shot loops off the head of a jumping Dawson and pings over the leaping Johnstone.
1-1!
Wolves nearly make it 2-0
This time, Lemina cues up Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian doesn’t have a lot of room to get his shot away, and his hard effort smashes off the post.
Still 1-0 Wolves, 53'.
Newcastle want a penalty, won’t get one
Joe Willock’s sliding shot pops off the ground and catches Craig Dawson’s arm but it’s a pretty natural position from close range.
The chance came from a corner after Johnstone denied Bruno Guimaraes’ bid for a screamer.
Big changes for Newcastle
Isak does not return after that shot to the face, while yellow-carded Joelinton and quiet Sean Longstaff exit the fray, too.
Yep, it’s a triple sub for Newcastle, as Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, and Harvey Barnes come into the game.
Halftime — Wolves 1-0 Newcastle
Newcastle has been sloppy in the center of the park, where there’s a lot of room for Wolves to work chances.
The Magpies can claim almost all of the ball but Lemina has his goal and should have two after grounding a late shot wide of the frame.
Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali, and Harvey Barnes will all fancy a chance to change this for the Magpies, while Wolves bench is thick with players who can firm up their chances of three points.
More concern for Newcastle: Alexander Isak bleeding from the nose after Craig Dawson’s clearance clipped him in the face.
Magpies fall asleep, Lemina pounces — Wolves 1-0 Newcastle (36th minute)
This is really good from Wolves and really sloppy from Newcastle.
Jorgen Strand Larsen does battle with Dan Burn and wins, with the Magpies back then nutmegged by the Wolves’ man’s low cross.
Joao Gomes dummies for Mario Lemina, who side-foots into an empty goal.
Gordon beats two Wolves defenders, not the post
Anthony Gordon is buzzing, and he bursts past Nelson Semedo before fooling Joao Gomes.
Deep into the box, Gordon then gets the ball around Sam Johnstone but clips the far post.
So close in the 23rd minute.
Newcastle holding the ball, but the danger awaits
The Magpies have had more nearly three-quarters of the ball.
Yet Newcastle’s only managed a pair of shot attempts while Wolves have had little going with or without the ball aside from an impetus to make sure their presence is felt with hard tackles.
Johnstone save
Alexander Isak drops deep into the midfield and then sends Jacob Murphy toward goal for a left-footed shot that Sam Johnstone slaps over the bar.
A short corner is dealt with by Wolves and it stays scoreless in the eighth minute.
Newcastle bright to start as midfield already a fierce fight
The Magpies have been lively and ambitious, but Wolves are up to challenge the ball especially in the midfield.
A few crosses have led to half-chances. Newcastle will like how they’ve started at the Molineux.
Wolves vs Newcastle team news
Wolves’ big signing Andre makes his first Premier League start, and he’ll not have to deal with Sandro Tonali as Eddie Howe opts for Sean Longstaff ahead of the Italian. Harvey Barnes is also on the bench for Jacob Murphy. Both clubs have midweek League Cup action.
Wolves lineup
Johnstone, Semedo, Mosquera, Dawson, Ait-Nouri, Lemina, Andre, J. Gomes, Bellegard, Cunha, Strand Larsen
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Hall, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Longstaff, Gordon, Murphy, Isak
Wolves focus, team news
OUT: Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Boubacar Traore (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knock)
Newcastle focus, team news
OUT: Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Lewis Miley (ankle), Callum Wilson (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Joe Willock (thigh), Emil Krafth (undisclosed)
Wolves vs Newcastle prediction
Newcastle will look to do to Wolves exactly as Chelsea did — counter-attack them into oblivion — and with Isak, Barnes and Anthony Gordon all in fine early-season form, they will also have success. Wolves 1-2 Newcastle.