Oh my oh my. What a day!
It all started early for me as my eldest was one of the 4 mascots (four? Jezzica don't you think that is a little too many?). I won't say too much but I managed to be by the tunnel as the teams came out and get some good photo's and videoing before taking a seat in the family enclosure - the first time I have sat there for over four years. See Stuperstitious' report on the events of his day.
This was certainly a corking classic cup cracker. If the day had not been eventful enough, I could not have wished for a better game, albeit a little nervy at times. The pace was fast and furious throughout the game, 90 minutes of rollercoaster enjoyment. Newcastle came to Molineux 4th in the premiership but leaking a lot of goals away from home, whilst Wolves were suffering a particular bad run of results.
The match kicked off with Wolves attacking the south bank and Robbie Keane amongst the crowd. I missed the first few minutes but saw the first real incident whilst walking along the touchline. The first of Kennedy's many crosses was met at the back post by Butler who steered his header across the box for Ince to smash home from by the penalty spot. 1-0 Wolves and a perfect start.
The game started how it carried on with end-to-end heroics. On 10 mins Shearer showed what he was capable of with a powerful header going wide, then their keeper clattered Miller before he easily saved a weak Cameron header. On 28 mins Newcastle won the first of their many corners. However it was easily taken by Murray, who quickly threw the ball out to Newton who in turn superbly chipped one of their defenders. Cameron picked up the ball whose cross was put behind Miller but the ball ran out to the on coming Kennedy who confidently and firmly side footed the ball into the corner of the net. 2-0 Wolves, and the Wolves fans went into raptures. Just 2 mins later it was almost heaven as a Newton cross found Kennedy approach at the far post, but his header went into the side netting. Two inches from wrapping up the game.
Newcastle were no way out of the game and at times their class showed. Ince made an impressive tackle in the box to deny an almost certain goal, before the Wolves of old showed through. A reflex shot from Shearer on 40 mins was blocked by Butler, but Jenas was quickest to the rebound to head home. 2-1 Wolves
Enter the arch villain Bellamy for the first of his day's trouble making. In a tussle with Lescott, the impressive young defender was adjudged to have pulled over Bellamy. It was a harsh decision and Bellamy did make a meal out of it but it was one of those decisions that always goes against defenders and so penalty. How many times does Shearer miss a penalty? This time it wasn't any different 2-2 and game on.
Luckily the equalizer came just before half time as Wolves were visibly shaken for the remainder of the half. The Wolves fans were stunned into silence for the only time in the game. Half time and Irwin tells Bellamy what he thinks about his tactics - the Wolves fans took this much further in the second half with chants of 'cheat' and 'there's only one Kevin Muscat' - a reference to Muscat's challenge on him when he played for Norwich.
HT Wolves 2 Newcastle 2
The second half started just as the first had, very fast and furious. On 47 mins a free kick was awarded to Newcastle, Irwin objected and was booked and then the now pedantic ref marched the ball some 15 yards closer to the goal. Lescott then made an incredible double block, the first from Shearer's free kick and then on the line from the rebound. This proved to be one of the turning points as Wolves immediately surged forward and Kennedy's left wing cross was headed across goal by Newton for Ndah to toe poke the ball home from 4 yards just in front on a defender. 3-2 Wolves and the crowd went berserk.
The goal visibly lifted Wolves, whilst Clyde replaced the now tired looking Butler in defence. Wolves were still hungry for more and had an effort from Clyde kicked off the line, before Cameron, Ince and Naylor all had missed opportunities. Then it was Newcastle's turn for a few chances before Newton's shot was superbly tipped over by their keeper.
The sulking Bellamy then missed a one-on-one as Murray superbly saved, before Naylor on 76 mins somehow managed to stretch himself in gymnastic style to hook the ball off the line. (Later I saw that TV replays suggested that some of the ball was over the line - but "all of the ball"etc.)
Newcastle were certainly turning on the pressure now but Wolves looked sound in defence. Lescott had had Shearer in his back pocket all afternoon, but it still made for a tense last 15 mins. On 80 mins Miller volleyed home from 15 yards out, a superb strike but he was adjudged to have fouled their defender. Another very harsh decision against Wolves.
However in the end Wolves held out for a memorable victory. In fairness the Newcastle team and manger took the defeat well, except for cry baby Bellamy who made some silly gestures on his way out off the pitch, pointing to the premiership badge on his sleeve. I was just 5 yards from the little ***, but who cares we are in the 4th round and he isn't!!
This was one of the best games I have seen for a long time, Newcastle played their part in it coming out to win the game unlike so many clubs down here recently - notably Bradford. The atmosphere was akin to the play off semi-final against Crystal Palace a couple of years ago, which was the only other time I remember the whole of the south bank being on their feet the whole of the game. It's just a shame that we can't play like this more often. The whole team played excellently even the likes of Newton played his little cotton socks off. I couldn't really ask for more - however the reality of it all comes on Saturday with yet another banana skin of a game at Walsall.
It was so pleasing that Wolves played like I know they can individually and as a unit, something that has been lacking recently. I may have been a little over critical over the past couple of months - but as they say one result does not make a season.
Bring on Leicester and then onto the Millennium Stadium - is it too early to do a Man U and book a hotel place in Cardiff now??
Well done lads but more of it please
FT Wolves 3 Newcastle 2
 This is a photo Fat Stat took from the South Bank
in between the first and second Wolves' goals. More photos later. My day as a mascot at the Newcastle game |
