Hwang-Hee-Chan Brace Lift Wolves Above Newcastle
Hwang Hee-chan scored twice to inspire Wolves to their first home win of the season against beleaguered Newcastle, who remain without a victory this term.
The game sparked into life after 20 minutes, when Hwang latched on to Raul Jimenez’s through ball before finishing coolly beyond the onrushing Karl Darlow.
Jeff Hendrick fired Newcastle level with a long-range drive into the bottom corner – moments after Francisco Trincao had rattled the crossbar for Wolves at the other end.
Jose Sa had to be on his toes to deny Allan Saint-Maximin from point-blank range within minutes of the restart, but Hwang’s left-footed finish – from another Jimenez pass – restored the home side’s lead.
Newcastle slip into the bottom three after a seventh league game without a win, while Wolves climb to 11th.
Wolves boss Bruno Lage will hope Saturday’s victory gives his side some much-needed momentum following an inconsistent start to the campaign.
His team have had little trouble creating opportunities but converting them has been another matter, with only bottom-of-the-table Norwich finding the net on fewer occasions prior to this game.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the early stages as Newcastle made a lively start, but Hwang’s opener swung the pendulum in the hosts’ favour.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said the switch to a back four “certainly helped” the Mapgies in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Watford, but the 60-year-old was forced to abandon his 4-3-3 formation in favour of a 5-4-1 in the first half as Wolves dominated the midfield.
The change soon paid off as Hendrick – who had replaced the injured Joe Willock five minutes earlier – drilled home a loose ball from the edge of the penalty area to restore parity. Wolves were unhappy with Joelinton’s challenge on goalkeeper Sa in the build-up to the goal, but the home side’s appeals were quickly dismissed by the video assistant referee.
Saint-Maximin – who endured a frustrating afternoon at Molineux – went closest for the visitors in a second-half of few clear-cut chances, but Hwang struck again after more fine work from the tireless Jimenez to clinch the points for Wolves.
