Newcastle 1 Wolves 2 – player ratings

Rui Patricio

He had a pretty quiet game, all told. Didn’t have a chance of saving Perez’s superb header for Newcastle’s goal. The rest of Newcastle’s shots were regulation saves for the Portuguese international. 6/10

Ryan Bennett

A solid performance from Bennett who produced more tackles (four) than any Wolves player. However, with four fouls he may count himself fortunate to only pick up one booking – a block on Atsu had the home fans screaming for a red, but Bennett wasn’t shown a card. 7/10

Conor Coady

Beaten for the Newcastle goal by Perez, who got a yard on him to flick a header past Patricio. He had a tough afternoon against the physical Rondon whose movement was effective and who had long balls thrown at him for most of the game. Coady held his own, though. 6/10

Willy Boly

Won seven headers and produced six clearances on a day that was often about rugged defending, which Wolves were more than capable of. The post-match arguments were all about his elbow on Perez – but it wasn’t deliberate. His eyes were on the ball. 7/10

Matt Doherty

Showed more energy and enthusiasm than John Barrowman after 10 cans of Red Bull to storm forward in the 95th minute and head the most dramatic of winners. His third goal of an increasingly impressive season, following on quickly after his assist against Chelsea. 7/10

Romain Saiss

Returned to St James’ Park for the first time since the Jonjo Shelvey racism incident of 2016 but he certainly didn’t look to be perturbed. A solid performance of simple passes and a couple of tough tackles. He’s come into the team and taken his chance. 7/10

Ruben Neves

Hmmm, what’s happened to this guy of late? Not excelled for a while now and he endured a difficult afternoon here. Misplaced passes, took the safe option too often and couldn’t produce any magic. Played too deep. Isn’t controlling games like he did last season. Needs to step it up or, with the recent successful introduction of Saiss into the side, he may find himself on the bench. 5/10

Ruben Vinagre

Saw plenty of the ball – 70 touches was the third highest in the team – but didn’t do a great amount with it. Needs to work on his final ball and his link play with the forwards. That said, defensively he was sound enough. 6/10

Helder Costa

Finally a first assist of the season! It’s been a long time coming but Costa’s beautifully flighted cross to Jota for the opening goal was one of few moments of quality in a fairly drab first half. Thereafter, though, he was frustratingly on the fringes of the game and just kept giving the ball away. Some of the poor passes he produced were infuriating. 6/10

Adama Traore

A second outing as a central striker in three matches – and again the experiment just didn’t work. He actually started off brilliantly, producing an almost unplayable first 20 minutes, but after that the ball kept bouncing off him and he didn’t contribute enough. 6/10

Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota is well and truly back. Two games, two goals, one assist – that’s what you call end product. Classy finish for the opener and a jinking, teasing run for the winner. Also caused the Yedlin red card when he nipped in and won possession, with some classic Jota pressing and attacking intent. We all know how good this guy is and he's starting to bring his game to the big stage. 9/10

Substitutes

Morgan Gibbs-White (for Saiss, 60)

An infectious bundle of positivity. Looks like he was born to have a football at his feet – he's so comfortable on the ball wherever he is on the pitch and whatever situation he's faced with. The only issue is finding his best role in this team – Nuno doesn't seem to trust him as a central midfielder in a two, or as either of the forwards. Perfect for the 10 role he utilised against Chelsea. But surely this guy has to start against Bournemouth?? 7/10

Raul Jimenez (for Traore, 60)

Presumably rested to save him during the busy schedule but Wolves always look a better team with Jimenez in it. Almost scored with a thunderous effort which cannoned off the underside of the bar. Looks to be enjoying his football and will surely be back in the XI next week. 7/10

Joao Moutinho (for Costa, 76)

The obvious change was Cavaleiro for Costa but this was a bit of a masterstroke from Nuno who pushed Gibbs-White further forward and let Moutinho do his thing, which was to increase the tempo and urgency from midfield. 7/10

Subs not used: Ruddy, Dendoncker, Cavaleiro, Bonatini.