Newcastle 3 Wolves 0 – Match ratings and comments on all the Newcastle United players | OneFootball

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 3 Wolves 0.

Wolves are a decent side.

They didn’t come to lie down, they had a go for the entire 90-odd minutes and they played quite well.

The Newcastle United of earlier in the season may have found that difficult but we were just better than Wolves.

We were slick, inventive and purposeful. Everyone understands their role and does it well.

And when things don’t work out, a teammate is always on hand to help. And we have some outstandingly talented teammates…

Nine wins on the bounce, six of those in the league, with Bournemouth, Saints and Fulham to come next. We can be confident going into those games but I just hope we are not complacent. We have the chance of achieving something this season but we need to replicate recent performances every week to get there.

I could have copied and pasted my player comments from the last time I did this. Everyone is playing at 8/10 for me, and some are 10s. Everyone is firing and I’m enjoying watching my team as much as I ever have

Martin Dubravka – 8

Played well and actually had a bit more to do than he has of late.

The Dubravka that has deputised for Nick Pope this season is a much better keeper than the one who did it last season.

He made a couple of important saves and was comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Tino Livramento – 8

With so few goals conceded in the past six weeks, I’m really nit-picking when I say he gets caught out defensively on the odd occasion.

But I love how he gets up the park quickly and with purpose when we are on the attack. He is keeping Tripps out of the side on merit. And I love Tripps.

Sven Botman – 9

Introducing a ‘new’ defender into a settled team can lead to problems, and when that defender has been out for the best part of a year with a serious injury, it can be disastrous.

But Sven has slotted straight in to our back four as if he’d played 100 consecutive matches. He is focused, disciplined and fearless. He can use the ball well too and never seems to panic. Cool as a cucumber.

Dan Burn – 9

Anthony Gordon says BDB is his player of the season so far, and I’m not going to argue with AG, who is a student of the game.

The boy from Blyth was immense again last night.

Always seems to be in the right place, wins his duels, and while he may not possess the silky skills of a Fabian Schar, seldom concedes possession.

Lewis Hall – 9

Another one who has a claim to player of the season.

He’s a tiger in defence and has some serious tekkers on the ball.

He plays like he’s having the time of his life; he probably is.

Sandro Tonali – 10

The rest of the world is beginning to wake up to what many on Tyneside have known for a while.

Newcastle United have an absolutely outstanding midfield player.

And if you can stand out in a midfield containing Bruno and Joelinton, you must be something special.

He is nearly always in the perfect position, he reads the game like no one else, and he has superb quality on the ball.

Works his socks off, can attack and defend, and for an aggressive player, doesn’t pick up too many yellow cards.

Bruno Guimaraes – 8

Did well (of course he did), but if he doesn’t mind a bit of feedback, he can try to do too much sometimes.

He doesn’t always need to dwell on the ball for so long and he doesn’t need to beat four players if a simple pass is on.

Other than that, he was great. Beautiful assist for Isak’s second goal.

Joelinton – 9

A model of consistency, with a range of talents.

Can hold the ball up like a number nine, tackles like an Italian defender from the 1970s, and covers ground like an army assault vehicle.

I’m surprised they haven’t asked him to prop up that crumbling flyover in Gateshead.

Jacob Murphy – 8

A couple of good strikes in the first half and got the ball into the box a few times.

As ever, grafted for his entire shift, and even his critics would have to admit the team looks better balanced with him in it.

Alexander Isak – 10

Not much point in me commenting on this man – he’s the most talked-about man in football at the moment and I agree with just about everything I hear.

Because he is so good on the ball, he can drift out left, right or drop into midfield to pick it up and still strike fear into opposition defences.

He’s a unique talent, he got two goals and an assist last night to prove it.

I would have liked to have seen him get his hat-trick, but I’m not mad he was subbed off. Of all our players, he is the one we need to protect the most.

Anthony Gordon – 9

His early-season form was patchy – along with others – but he has been instrumental in our recent resurgence.

He is keen, quick and intelligent, and is developing a very good left foot / right foot combination down the left flank with Lewis Hall.

Another goal last night. That’s five in six games if my maths and memory are in working order. A man in form.

Miguel Almiron – 5

Brought on to give Murphy’s legs a rest, but the game was more-or-less done by then, helped the team coast to victory.

Joe Willock – 5

Didn’t really get into the game much but did OK.

William Osula – 5

Enthusiastic and showed a bit of potential. Seems to be loving life right now.

Lewis Miley – N/A

Not on long enough to rate.

Subbed on in preference to Longstaff and I think that is significant.

Does not look out of place in this midfield and that is saying something.

Kieran Trippier – N/A

The game was over by the time Tripps joined the fray and he made sure we saw it through to full time without mishap.

Newcastle 3 Wolves 0 – Wednesday 15 January 2025 7.30pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 34, 57, Gordon 74

Wolves:

Possession was Newcastle 60% Wolves 40%

Total shots were Newcastle 17 Wolves 13

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Wolves 7

Corners were Newcastle 4 Wolves 2

Touches in the box Newcastle 32 Wolves 23

Newcastle team v Wolves:

Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 85), Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Miley 83), Bruno, Murphy (Almiron 78), Isak (Osula 78), Gordon (Willock 78)

Unused subs:

Vlachodimos, Kelly, Krafth, Longstaff

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Weekend of Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle TBC (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)