Newcastle got their revenge on Wolverhampton Wanderers with a 2-0 victory in the EFL Cup third round at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez shakes the hand of Wolves manager Walter Zenga before the match
Newcastle United advanced to the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening.
After losing 2-0 to Wolves in the Championship on Saturday, the Magpies exacted their revenge on Walter Zenga’s side as two moments of quality two minutes apart from Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran in the first half saw the hosts progress.
A goalless second half followed as United saw out the win in assured fashion – here are their ratings from the match…
Karl Darlow: 7/10
Had little to do throughout the match but was calm and composed as he stood strong to deny Jed Wallace in the first half and also made a good save from the threatening Ola John in the second.
A deserved clean sheet and many fans would be happy to see him in between the sticks at the weekend.
Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow
DeAndre Yedlin: 7/10
Hardly put a foot wrong all game, the American international’s pace and desire to get forward made him a real threat down the right flank as he was involved in Matt Ritchie’s opening goal.
Considering the positions he found himself in the attacking third, he could have perhaps got more crosses into the area but was still positive at both ends of the pitch nonetheless.
In Vurnon Anita’s absence, the 23-year-old full-back should fit right in for this weekend’s match against Aston Villa.
Newcastle United’s Deandre Yedlin (L) in action with Wolves’ Joe Mason
Grant Hanley: 7/10
Made some good blocks, including one early on to deny Paul Gladon and won plenty of headers as Wolves posed a limited threat going forward.
Overall it was a straightforward and solid display with a defensive mix-up with Yedlin being the only suspect moment of the Scottish international’s performance.
Ciaran Clark: 7/10
Like his centre-back partner, Clark wasn’t too busy at the back but still put in a good shift with some decent blocks and tackles which helped the Magpies keep their sixth clean sheet of the season.
Achraf Lazaar: 5/10
The Moroccan full-back’s debut could have gone better as he clearly still has to get used to the English game following a display that lacked a bit of discipline at times.
Always looking to get forward and attack, Lazaar can be an exciting player for Newcastle but he kept giving the ball away too easily and his shocking delivery often broke down promising attacks for the home side.
Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie celebrates after he scores his sides first goal
Matt Ritchie: 9/10
A superb goal and assist for Newcastle’s August Player of the Month as he continued to show his quality in black-and-white.
A clever one two with Jack Colback before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner opened the scoring for the Magpies and just moments later the former Bournemouth man did well down the right to pick out Gouffran for the second.
He may have only scored twice so far for United but the quality and consistency of Ritchie’s displays have to make him one of the Championship signings of the season so far.
Jonjo Shelvey: 7/10
An improved performance from the horror-show at the weekend as he comfortably controlled the middle even though Shelvey’s performance was still not quite near the heights he reached last week at QPR.
There was plenty of effort but the England international needs to eradicate those woefully wayward passess from his game.
Jack Colback: 6/10
Played his part in Newcastle’s opener but was otherwise ineffective for the majority of the match as he just seemed to go through the motions rather than take his opportunity to impress Rafa Benitez ahead of Saturday’s important league match at Aston Villa.
Newcastle United’s Yoan Gouffran (L) scores his sides second goal
Yoan Gouffran: 8/10
Newcastle’s surprise package this season was at it against with another stunning volley which doubled the hosts’ lead just after the half-hour.
His weak footed flying effort connected beautifully with Ritchie’s cross and flew past Andy Lonergan and into the back of the net.
The 30-year-old winger should have grabbed a second after half-time but he lashed the ball over after Mohamed Diame’s chipped effort rebounded off the crossbar.
Overall, the Frenchman’s tenacity and ability to help the team in a number of ways has had a really positive effect on the Magpies this season as they have still won every game in which he has featured under Benitez.
Mohamed Diame: 7/10
A positive and lively performance from the Senegalese international who somewhat atoned for his disappointing performance at the weekend before his 72nd minute withdrawal.
A regular threat and driving force going forward who was unlucky not to have grabbed his first Magpies goal in spectacular fashion as his sumptuous chip clipped the crossbar.
Wolves’ Dominic Iorfa (L) in action with Newcastle United’s Daryl Murphy
Daryl Murphy: 6/10
The 33-year-old debutant didn’t quite make the impact he would have liked but his hold up play and presence as a lone striker were certainly positives to take away.
Murphy worked hard and got into good positions but will be disappointed not to have grabbed a debut goal after skying a low Yedlin cross over the bar from close range.
Substitutions
Ayoze Perez (for Diame 72): 5/10
Brought on for the final 18 minutes but failed to do anything bar pick up a stupid yellow card and strike a poor shot straight into the hand of Lonergan.
Christian Atsu (for Gouffran 74): 6/10
His pace and trickery will always make him a threat but his decision and end product may let him down.
Jamaal Lascelles (for Ritchie 86): n/a
Barely got a touch.
Newcastle United’s Yoan Gouffran celebrates with teammates after he scores his sides second goal
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