No VAR controversies, no extra time, no bookings, no penalties, no goals conceded, three goals scored and three points made it a pleasurable afternoon on Tyneside for Eddie Howe and his side despite the heavy rain.

The Magpies boss celebrated his 100th Premier League career victory as United made a timely return to their trademark pressing game, ending a winless four game run at Gallowgate with their first home success of 2024.

Wolves were unbeaten on the road this year, arriving on the back of eye-catching league wins at Chelsea and Spurs. However top scorers Hwang Hee-Chan and Matheus Cunha were both injured and although looking dangerous in the opening exchanges, Martin Dubravka wasn't seriously tested. 

Making just one change from the starting line-up at Blackburn - Sven Botman for Jamaal Lascelles - the hosts took a 14th minute lead when a Bruno Guimaraes shot deflected off a defender and fell nicely for Alexander Isak to head home at the Gallowgate End.

Dan Burn had the chance to double that lead but pulled his shot wide soon after before another counter-attack from United on 33 minutes ended with Jacob Murphy crossing from the right towards Isak; a combination of goalkeeper and defender succeeding only in setting up the arriving Anthony Gordon to slam in the loose ball.

Visiting custodian Jose Sa collided with the goal frame while conceding the opener and failed to reappear after the break; replacement Daniel Bentley nowhere near Joe Willock's diving header, but a defender's boot doing just enough to send the effort wide of the target.

Almost inevitably though, there would be a fresh injury concern for Newcastle: Kieran Trippier pulling up early in the second period and leaving the field to be replaced by Tino Livamento.

Wolves had begun to commit more bodies forward in an attempt to gain a foothold in the game as it entered the final quarter, Newcastle taking the opportunity to bring on fresh legs in the shape of Miggy Almiron, Harvey Barnes and Lewis Miley that swung the balance of play back in their favour.

Chances of more goals at either end weren't greatly abundant - although Dubravka made two good stops and a fine no-look pass by the lively Bruno saw Miggy test Bentley from close in.

What was a morale-boosting afternoon ended on a high note in the second minute of added time; Fabian Schar superbly picking out Livramento down the right and the full back running on into the Wolves box, forcing the ball into the net as he clashed with defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.  

That sent those still present away on a high at the end of a testing week that saw visits to Arsenal and Blackburn raise question marks over the direction and leadership of the team from some areas - deservedly so in the wake of a patchy display against Rovers that could well have ended in defeat.
 
If the Ewood display though was an unwelcome reminder of passive performances from the Steve Bruce era, this was a welcome return to a Howe-like display, aided by the improving fitness of those players returning from injury and valid bench options. Principally that was Willock, whose ability to run with the ball in turn gave Bruno room to work. Livarmento on his favoured right was also decent.

It made a change to see the opposition short-handed, while we also enjoyed some good fortune on the field for once in terms of favourable bounces and deflections. There's also satisfaction also in scoring three goals in and around the six yard box after dangerous attacks, a world away from the ponderous build-ups and meaningless possession.   

The victory took Eddie Howe's side above their opponents and Brighton up to eighth in the table - rekindling hopes of qualifying for Europe in some form, although it's debatable whether that would actually benefit a side looking to remodel their squad in the summer.  

Biffa