Eddie Howe disagrees with Gary O'Neil over major Wolves and Newcastle incident

Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as dust settles on 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at Molineux

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Luke Pawley

Josh Holland

04:00, 29 OCT 2023

Wolverhampton Wanderers' South Korean striker Hwang Hee-chan celebrates with teammates after scoring (Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Here are your latest Wolves headlines from the 2-2 draw with Newcastle.

Match report

Wolves and Newcastle United played out a Premier League thriller at Molineux on Saturday evening. Gary O’Neil’s men had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 in torrential rain and maintain their unbeaten run - which now stretches to five league games.

Newcastle's England striker Callum Wilson scored either side of Mario Lemina’s equaliser for the hosts. Hwang Hee-chan then continued his fine goalscoring form this season to make it 2-2. His goal came after a controversial VAR call awarded Newcastle a penalty.

The Magpies took their time to grow into the contest but they took the lead in the 22nd minute. Wilson was in the right place at the right time to poke home after Jose Sa failed to hold Anthony Gordon's cross.

Wolves were level 14 minutes later when Lemina’s run to the back post was poorly followed by Kieran Trippier before the Gabon international headed past Nick Pope.

The controversial moment of the match came in the latter stages of the first-half when Anthony Taylor awarded Newcastle a penalty after Hwang brought Fabian Schar down. Wilson converted from the spot, albeit with some luck after Sa's save wasn't enough to keep the ball out of the back of the net.

O’Neil’s men levelled for a second time thanks to a sensational solo goal by Hwang. The South Korean forward was slipped in down the right channel by Toti Gomes, checked inside before sending Pope the wrong way.

Wolves are now 12th in the Premier League, behind Chelsea only on goal difference.

What Gary O'Neil said

"There wasn't a penalty in the first half. It's a scandalous decision. Terrible.

"It was a terrible on field decision and terrible that VAR didn't intervene. I think they got it badly wrong. He (Hwang) goes to clear the ball and makes such minimal contact with Schar, hardly any, just a glance of the boot.

"Schar is already on his way down and the ball actually hits Channy's (Chan) other boot before he even makes contact with Schar, so technically Chan gets the ball before he contacts Schar. That's why it was a terrible decision."

What Eddie Howe said

"It (the penalty) was one of those, it was a strange one. I'd need to see it again, I've only seen it live. It looked like a coming together, Fabi [Fabian Schar] maybe nicked the ball first before there was contact but there was a little bit of a delay before the penalty was given so I was aware that it was going to be a tight call."

What the fans said

@simbawolf7: More frustrated by Pedro doing his hammy than (referee Anthony) Taylor doing us over again!

@JB_F1_: Hwang and Neto superb yet again! Hope to god that Neto’s injury isn’t as bad as it looked.

@JW_WWFC: Game by game Gary O'Neil is proving me wrong. Thought we were the better side tonight against a Champions League team, gifted them two goals. Gutted about Neto. Onwards and upwards.

@StefanW0lves: Great game that. Really enjoyed it. Shame about the officiating though.

@MikeW_1988: The good feeling around Molineux is back. We actually look like a half decent, competitive team.

@deanfinney999: 5x games and 8x points in the PL, with games against City, Villa and Newcastle… What a job Gaz is doing! I’d not expect that in a million years!

@Scott_SandSS: As horrible as the Neto injury is - and let's be honest, it is the worst thing that could have happened to us - it does open up an a huge opportunity for one of Bellegarde, Sarabia or Silva, and hopefully one of them takes it and proves their worth to the squad.

@CallumONeill93: Night and day since the Luton game… O’Neil got the lads playing.

@kevtheman10: Considering VAR went the other way to Newcastle, this has been a hard fought draw tonight. I can't fault the effort from Wolves on a great performance. I hope the injury isn't bad for Neto. It was gutting to see him pull up & go off on the stretcher.