Furious Wolves rescued by Hwang after Newcastle VAR controversy over penalty

28 October 2023 , 20:37

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Hwang Hee-chan's equaliser earned Wolves a draw (Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Gary O’Neill might feel cursed by referees and var this season - but he’s blessed in having Hwang Hee-chan in his ranks.

‌Just when it seemed var had conspired against Wolves again with a dubious Newcastle penalty awarded by Anthony Taylor, up popped the South Korean to deliver redemption in the form of his customary goal to keep his amazing Molineux scoring run going.

‌The South Korean star has netted in every home game so far this season and never were Wolves - or the striker himself - more in need of his golden touch in a rousing battle in the Black Country. Trailing after Taylor judged Hwang to have fouled Fabian Schar in the box on the stroke of half-time var refused to intervene and Callum Wilson scored his second of the game to make it 2-1.

‌But with a mighty show of guts and desire Wolves earned a deserved point with a superb 71st minute finish from the South Korean to send home fans wild with delight. After a week to forget after a 10-month ban for Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali for betting and a home Champions League defeat by Borussia Dortmund at least Eddie Howe had a point to show for a tough night’s work.

‌Both sides had seen plenty of the ball in a lively start with half chances for each side in the opening 20 minutes. But it was Newcastle who struck first with Wolves keeper Jose Sa shooting himself and his team in the foot.

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‌Gordon whipped in a cross that should have been an easy punch for Sa even in the teeming rain, but he somehow chose to try and catch the ball. That was a mistake as he flattened his own defender Traore and in the scramble that followed Wilson hooked the ball home at the second attempt.

‌It was a blow for Wolves but O’Neill’s stars, unbeaten in their previous four League games, stayed positive and kept pressing forward. Impressive midfielder Cunha and Neto, until he suffered a hamstring late on, were a constant danger and not long after Wolves were level.

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Wolves were furious that VAR didn't send Anthony Taylor to the pitch-side monitor (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

‌Neto played a huge role first in forcing Pope into a fine save for a corner and then swinging in the flag-kick for Mario Lemina to crash home a header after out-muscling Trippier. It was a debut goal for the Wolves defender coming a year and a day after his last one for French side Nice.

‌The penalty controversy still didn’t derail Wolves and they came out swinging second half but struggled to find the clinical final ball - until Toti’s superb run and Hwang’s fabulous finish. O’Neill’s anger at the Toon penalty was clear to see but it’s nothing new for the Wolves boss.

‌Wolves were on the end of a clanger by Simon Hooper in the opening day defeat at Manchester United when keeper Andre Onana clearly clattered Wolves players but escaped. O’Neill got an apology from PGMOL referee boss Jon Moss that time - but he won’t be holding his breath over a second one.

Steve Bates