Magpies Misfire: Newcastle Draw Blank Against Woeful Wolves

Newcastle’s bid to break into the Premier League top four suffered a damaging setback on Sunday as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by bottom side Wolves at rain-soaked Molineux.

Eddie Howe’s team arrived buoyed by recent league wins over Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leeds, results that had reignited hopes of a Champions League return. But against a Wolves side battling relegation, the Magpies lacked invention and cutting edge as two valuable points slipped away.

The stalemate leaves Newcastle stuck in eighth, compounding the disappointment of their 2-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Manchester City earlier in the week. With heavyweight clashes against Aston Villa and Liverpool looming before month’s end, Howe’s side now face

mounting pressure to rediscover momentum.

Chances were few and far between. Nick Woltemade, goalless in six matches, squandered Newcastle’s best opportunities, heading wide twice from promising positions — first from close range, then again from a Kieran Trippier cross. The striker has now scored just twice in his last 12 appearances.

Wolves, unbeaten in four league games despite remaining 14 points from safety, showed more threat than their position suggests. Teenage forward Mateus Mane impressed again, forcing Nick Pope into a sharp save after a clever flick from Hwang Hee-chan.

Newcastle’s best moment came just before half-time when Malick Thiaw saw his header crash against the post before Wolves scrambled clear. Yet the visitors failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, and any hopes of improvement after the break quickly faded.

A triple substitution — introducing Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Lewis Miley — injected some urgency, with Trippier striking the side-netting from a free-kick and testing Jose Sa late on. But it wasn’t enough.

For Newcastle, the frustration was unmistakable. For Wolves, it was another gritty point — and for the top-four race, a costly stumble by the Magpies.

(with AFP inputs)