St. James' Park was alive with anticipation on September 13, 2025, as Newcastle United welcomed Wolverhampton Wanderers for a Premier League clash that promised drama, fresh faces, and, for one debutant, a moment to savor. In a match that saw the Magpies secure their first three points of the new campaign, it was Nick Woltemade—the club’s record signing from Stuttgart—who stole the show, nodding in the only goal of the game and instantly writing himself into Newcastle folklore.
From the opening whistle, the tone was set for a lively contest. Wolves, winless and languishing at the bottom of the table, wasted no time in testing the Newcastle defense. Incredibly, they threatened inside the first ten seconds, forcing Nick Pope into a pair of crucial early saves. First, Rodrigo Gomes unleashed a fierce drive that Pope tipped around the post, and moments later, Hwang Hee-chan volleyed goalward, only to see Pope again deny the visitors. The Magpies’ number one was clearly in no mood to concede, and his efforts would ultimately be rewarded with a well-earned clean sheet.
But Newcastle, buoyed by a raucous home crowd, were not content to play second fiddle. Their own attacking intent was evident early on, with Woltemade’s footwork and composure immediately catching the eye. On just his first few touches in black and white, the German forward showed why Eddie Howe was so keen to bring him to Tyneside. One clever lay-off nearly set up Jacob Murphy, whose curling effort drifted just wide of the mark.
Murphy, lively throughout, soon found himself at the heart of the action again. After Rodrigo Gomes had danced into the Newcastle box and shot wide, Tino Livramento’s trademark long throw caused chaos in the Wolves area. The ball fell invitingly for Murphy, who must have thought he’d scored, but Sam Johnstone produced a superb reaction save to keep the scores level. The chances kept coming, and it was clear that both sides were determined to seize the initiative.
As the half-hour mark approached, Newcastle began to assert themselves. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute—though some reports marked it as the 29th—when Murphy, ever the menace on the right, delivered a perfect hanging cross into the box. Rising above the Wolves defense, Woltemade powered home a header that left Johnstone rooted to the spot. The roar that greeted the goal was deafening, as the new signing became the 15th player to score on their Magpies debut. Talk about making an entrance!
Woltemade’s dream start was nearly matched by his teammates before the break. Murphy had the ball in the net again, only for celebrations to be cut short by a delayed offside flag—Harvey Barnes had strayed beyond the last defender before squaring for Murphy. And as the first half drew to a frantic close, Sandro Tonali, elegant and industrious at the base of midfield, rattled the inside of the post with a stunning drive that had Johnstone beaten all ends up. The Italian’s influence was felt all over the pitch, and he was unlucky not to double Newcastle’s lead before the interval.
With the Magpies holding a slender 1-0 advantage at halftime, the question on everyone’s lips was whether they could see out the result. The second half, while less free-flowing than the first, still offered moments of intrigue. Howe, ever the pragmatist, made tactical tweaks—bringing on Will Osula for Woltemade and Joe Willock for Joelinton—to keep legs fresh and maintain control in midfield.
The defensive unit, marshaled by Kieran Trippier (who earned an impressive 8/10 rating for his efforts), Fabian Schar, and Dan Burn, stood firm. Trippier not only locked things down at the back but also created several inviting chances going forward. Schar and Burn were both solid in the air and composed on the ball, while Livramento, though quieter in attack, did his defensive duties with minimal fuss.
In the engine room, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton worked tirelessly, with Guimaraes winning back possession and Joelinton covering every blade of grass. Tonali, who received a 7.5/10 rating, continued to influence proceedings at both ends, his unlucky strike off the woodwork a testament to his growing importance in Howe’s system.
Up front, Harvey Barnes showed flashes of quality but couldn’t quite find the finishing touch, while Murphy’s relentless running and creativity were rewarded with a well-deserved assist. Osula and Willock added energy off the bench, with Osula fashioning a half-chance and Willock making a notable run into the Wolves half.
As the clock ticked down, Wolves pushed for an equalizer, even deploying substitute Marshall Munetsi as an auxiliary striker in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a point. But Newcastle’s defense held firm, and Pope—whose early heroics set the tone—remained unbreached. The final whistle was met with jubilation from the home faithful, who knew just how important these three points could prove in the context of the season.
For Eddie Howe and his men, this narrow win was more than just a statistical boost. It snapped a frustrating start to the campaign and injected much-needed confidence ahead of a daunting UEFA Champions League showdown with Barcelona scheduled for Thursday night. The timing couldn’t have been better, with the squad now brimming with belief and the new signings bedding in seamlessly.
For Wolves, the defeat leaves them rooted to the foot of the Premier League, still searching for their first win of the season. Despite showing flashes of promise—particularly in the opening exchanges—their lack of sharpness in front of goal proved costly. Vítor Pereira will know his side must find a clinical edge if they’re to climb out of trouble in the weeks ahead.
In the end, though, this was Woltemade’s night. As the 15th player to score on his Magpies debut, he’s already etched his name into club history—and with performances like this, Newcastle fans will be hoping it’s just the beginning. With Barcelona looming on the horizon, the momentum gained from this hard-fought victory could be the spark that ignites their campaign, both at home and in Europe.
As the Magpies look ahead to their Champions League adventure, the St. James’ Park faithful can savor a night when a new hero announced himself in style, and hope that this winning feeling is here to stay.
