Gutierrez (18)
Sports Direct Arena
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 52,287)
Doyle (66)
Newcastle 2 Wolves 2
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At the Sports Direct Arena
Newcastle United 2 (Cisse 6, Gutierrez 18)
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 (Jarvis 50, Doyle 66)
Newcastle were forced to settle for a point and a 2-2 draw against Wolves at the Sports Direct Arena on Saturday, despite being two up at half-time.
Goals from Papiss Cisse and Jonas Gutierrez put the hosts firmly in control at the break, but Wanderers hit back to earn a share of the spoils through Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle.
Cisse diverted home a Cheick Tiote shot with just six minutes on the clock, before Gutierrez sent home a rising strike into the top corner to give the hosts a comfortable advantage with less than 20 minutes played. And it looked like it was a case of job done as United looked to maintain their 100 per cent home record in 2012.
But Wolves had other ideas and Jarvis' deflected shot snuck in early in the second half, before Doyle stabbed home the equaliser.
The visitors were a completely different proposition to their first half display, where they offered very little going forward but arguably created their best chance inside the opening 45 seconds. Jamie O'Hara fed Doyle, and the Irish striker raced forward, jinked past Mike Williamson, but could only fire tamely straight at Tim Krul.
However, after weathering some early visiting pressure, United broke the deadlock on six minutes thanks to number nine Cisse, with his second goal in as many home games.
Defender Christophe Berra lost possession on the edge of his own area to Yohan Cabaye, and the midfielder's cross was turned goalwards by a cheeky Demba Ba back-heel.
An oustanding stop from Wayne Hennessey looked to have averted the danger, but as Wolves failed to clear their lines Cheick Tiote drilled in a strike from the edge of the area, to which Cisse stuck out a leg and turned it into the top corner.
On 17 minutes, only the fingertips of Hennessey prevented United from doubling their advantage as he turned over full-back Danny Simpson's long range effort.
But the Welsh international stopper was powerless as, from the resulting corner, Gutierrez bagged a screamer to make it 2-0. The visitors twice couldn't get out of their own box, and Gutierrez smashed home an unstoppable strike from 25 yards to make them pay.
It was the winger's third goal in as many games against Wolves - having netted in this fixture last season, and when the sides met earlier in this campaign.
The Magpies were firmly in control but weren't done there. After linking neatly with Cisse, strike partner Ba struck narrowly wide with the aid of a deflection and the presence of Williamson caused Wanderers problems from the corner that followed.
However, with the half hour mark approaching, Wolves served notice that they were far from out of the contest as Doyle rose highest at the near post to flick a header across goal and agonisingly just inches past the far upright.
Back at the other end, Cisse suffered the same fate with a header of his own, before turning provider to tee up Ryan Taylor, but the wide man's close range shot was blocked.
Wolves made a bright opening to the second half and were rewarded within five minutes as Jarvis halved the deficit. A long punt forward from Hennessey was latched upon by Doyle and he fed Jarvis out on the left, with the winger cutting inside and finding the far corner of the net thanks to a deflection off Simpson.
United's response was immediate as they sought to re-establish a two-goal advantage, and Cabaye wasn't far away with a low strike from the edge of the area, before Hennessey was quick off his line to dive at the feet of Gutierrez.
Wolves full-back Stephen Ward almost snatched an equaliser int he 60th minute when he was allowed to race into the box and fire a low shot through a clutch of players, but thankfully for the hosts Krul was alert to the danger and got down well to save at his near post.
The visitors were starting to cause some problems and Newcastle boss Alan Pardew reacted with a double change - replacing Cisse and Taylor with Hatem Ben Arfa and Danny Guthrie.
But within seconds of the pair being introduced, Wolves were level. O'Hara swung a free-kick deep into the danger zone, and Doyle first made a nuisance of himself in the air, before prodding home the loose ball from a couple of yards.
With ten minutes remaining Pardew made his final switch of the afternoon, bringing on striker Shola Ameobi for midfielder Tiote, and the big front man made an instant impact, using his strength to winning a corner in front of the Gallowgate End.
As the clock ticked away, fellow replacement Ben Arfa twice threatened - first seeing his low ball into the box cut out by Richard Stearman, before curling a left-footed effort inches wide of the far post.
And that was as good as it got in the closing stages, with United surely left to rue two points dropped, rather than one gained.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor (Danny Guthrie 65), Cheick Tiote (Shola Ameobi 80), Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse (Hatem Ben Arfa 65), Demba Ba
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Gabriel Obertan
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-5-1): Wayne Hennessey; Ronald Zubar, Christophe Berra, Richard Stearman, Stephen Ward (c); Kevin Foley (Nenad Milijas 90), Karl Henry, David Edwards, Jamie O'Hara (Michael Kightly 70), Matt Jarvis (Stephen Hunt 85); Kevin Doyle
Subs not used: Dorus De Vries, Jody Craddock, Roger Johnson, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Attendance: 52,287 (1550 Wolves)
Defending throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Foul by Christophe Berra(Wolverhampton) on Tim Krul(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Wolverhampton substitution: Kevin Foley replaced by Nenad Milijas (tactical).
Christophe Berra(Wolverhampton) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Michael Kightly(Wolverhampton) to far post, save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton). Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) curled left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Wolverhampton substitution: Matthew Jarvis replaced by Stephen Hunt (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Karl Henry(Wolverhampton) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Cheick Tiote replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical).
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Foul by Christophe Berra(Wolverhampton) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Michael Kightly(Wolverhampton), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Michael Kightly(Wolverhampton) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Foul by Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Wolverhampton substitution: Jamie O'Hara replaced by Michael Kightly (tactical). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Goal by Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 2-2 Wolverhampton. Assist (cross) by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) from right wing.
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton). Newcastle substitution: Papiss Cisse replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa (injury).Newcastle substitution: Ryan Taylor replaced by Danny Guthrie (tactical). Free kick crossed left-footed by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken short by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left.
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Karl Henry(Wolverhampton).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Matthew Jarvis(Wolverhampton) to centre, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Foul by Kevin Foley(Wolverhampton) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Davide Santon(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton), resulting in ball out of play.
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left.
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), save (caught) by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Goal by Matthew Jarvis(Wolverhampton) curled right-footed (top-right of goal) from left channel (20 yards).Newcastle 2-1 Wolverhampton. Assist (pass) by Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton) from left channel.
Defending throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Karl Henry(Wolverhampton).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Christophe Berra(Wolverhampton) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
David Edwards(Wolverhampton) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) from right channel, passed.
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Cross by Matthew Jarvis(Wolverhampton), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Matthew Jarvis(Wolverhampton).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Header by Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed right.
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Christophe Berra(Wolverhampton) from own half, passed.
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Christophe Berra(Wolverhampton). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Richard Stearman(Wolverhampton).
Defending throw-in by Kevin Foley(Wolverhampton).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Kevin Foley(Wolverhampton).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton).
Goal by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) drilled right-footed (top-left of goal) from left channel (25 yards).Newcastle 2-0 Wolverhampton.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Karl Henry(Wolverhampton).
Shot by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (30 yards), save (tipped over) by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Matthew Jarvis(Wolverhampton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Stephen Ward(Wolverhampton) from left wing, passed.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Richard Stearman(Wolverhampton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Karl Henry(Wolverhampton) from own half, passed.
Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Matthew Jarvis(Wolverhampton).
Defending throw-in by Ronald Zubar(Wolverhampton).
Goal kick taken long by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Kevin Foley(Wolverhampton).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Wayne Hennessey(Wolverhampton).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) left-footed (top-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Wolverhampton. Assist by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel.
Foul by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton). Free kick drilled left-footed by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) from left channel (25 yards), hit wall.
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Karl Henry(Wolverhampton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jamie O'Hara(Wolverhampton) from right channel, passed.
Shot by Kevin Doyle(Wolverhampton) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).