JACOB MURPHY scored a dramatic late free-kick to wreck Wolves’ dreams of ending the week on top of the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side thought they had three points in the bag when Raul Jimenez fired them in front with a spectacular finish with just ten minutes remaining.
Jacob Murphy’s late equaliser rescued a point for Newcastle against WolvesCredit: Reuters
Raul Jimenez thought his screamer in the 80th minute had secured the win for WolvesCredit: Reuters
Jimenez scored a fantastic goal to stun Newcastle at MolineuxCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
That raised home hopes of Wolves topping the table with a win over Crystal Palace on Friday night.
However Nuno’s shell-shocked players were brought crashing back to Earth by Murphy who earned Newcastle a battling point with a late equaliser in the final minute.
Wolves will be furious at the manner in which they conceded two points.
Their vastly experienced goalie Rui Patricio had two attempts to assemble a four-man-wall after Leo Dendoncker questioned the keeper about their positioning.
Patricio took a second look but seemed happy enough – until Murphy squeezed a low shot beyond the Belgian’s outstretched leg to bend the ball home.
Patricio managed to get a glove to the ball but could only help it into the net and will face an inquest from his ex-goalkeeper boss Nuno as to what went wrong.
It was a brilliant battling point for a Newcastle side ravaged by injuries, especially to key midfielder Jonjo Shelvey who is in London to undergo surgery on a groin injury.
In his absence Steve Bruce turned to forwards Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron to plug the gaping gaps in his engine room.
Wolves looked to be on their way to three wins in a rowCredit: Reuters
Murphy kept a cool head to net a free kick in the dying minutesCredit: Getty – Pool
Newcastle were rewarded for their resilience after matching Wolves with a back fiveCredit: Reuters
They performed brilliantly, but Wolves thought they had finally made the breakthrough when Jimenez pounced on Joelinton’s headed clearance and took a touch before smashing in a shot from 20 yards.
Karl Darlow made a hash of his attempts to claw it out and to his horror the ball flew into the net.
But Brucey’s Unlikely Lads survived that comedy bit of goalkeeping to snatch a last-gasp equaliser through Murphy.
Nuno Espirito Santo was dismayed to blow his lead so quicklyCredit: Reuters
Steve Bruce was delighted to pick up a crucial point on the roadCredit: PA:Press Association
Wolves welcome new signing Nelson Semedo from Barcelona in £29m transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
