Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto in action with Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Wolverhampton Wanderers were held to a 1-1 draw at home by injury-hit Newcastle United as the visitors ended a three-game Premier League losing run to earn a gritty point on Saturday.
Newcastle made a superb start and took a seventh-minute lead through Miguel Almiron but the lead was short-lived as Leander Dendoncker levelled for the hosts.
With Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle forced off in the first half, adding to Newcastle's long injury list, Steve Bruce's side dug deep to claim a precious away point.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto in action with Newcastle United's Christian Atsu Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka typified the visitors' resolve with some fine saves to frustrate an off-key Wolves side who are chasing a spot among the European qualifying places.
Seven of the nine Premier League meetings between the teams have now ended in draws.
Wolves climbed one place to seventh with 31 points from 22 games, while Newcastle are in 13th place with 26 points, six points above the relegation zone.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka applauds fans at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
"(Striker) Joelinton's got a bit of a groin problem. He managed to stay on the pitch to give us a little bit of a chance," said Bruce, whose absentee list reaches into double figures. "I've never known anything like it in 40 years.
"Whether it's bad luck or we have to go a little deeper to look at it, we need to find out. Fair play to the players, they rolled their sleeves up and deserved a point."
Gayle was involved in Newcastle's opener as he combined with Jetro Willems before Almiron smashed the ball high into the net.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves remonstrates with referee Peter Bankes Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
But Wolves levelled in the 14th minute when Belgian international Dendoncker was left completely unmarked to steer in Joao Moutinho's corner.
Dubravka made a great close-range save to keep out Raul Jimenez's header as Wolves asserted their authority before halftime and the Slovak continued to impress.
Wolves huffed and puffed trying to find an opening after the break, often without any success, but when they did create chances Dubravka was on hand to save his side. As Newcastle hung on, the keeper did superbly to parry Pedro Neto's header.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
"I'm not frustrated. I think we didn't play well enough to win," Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo said.
"We didn't move the ball fast enough. Fast circulation of the ball allows you to open spaces, but that was one of the issues today. The Newcastle goalkeeper had a very good game. We didn't produce many, but we had clear, clear chances."
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto after sustaining an injury Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge and Ken Ferris)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Newcastle United's Matthew Longstaff in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez REUTERS/Andrew Yates Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez in action Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Newcastle United's Christian Atsu in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto REUTERS/Andrew Yates Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 11, 2020 Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle is treated by medical staff after sustaining an injury Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
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