Source: Telegraph
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Newcastle United 1: match report
Mick McCarthy admitted recently that he tried to sign Andy Carroll last season. What the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager saw in the 6ft 4in striker was showcased against Aston Villa last week and again against Wolves today, as he rescued a point for Newcastle United after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had put the home side ahead, and generally made a nuisance of himself. [LNB]The Wolves back four, who would have been a relieved bunch when Carroll was substituted after 81 minutes, should buy their goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann a beer, meanwhile, for saving Kevin Nolan's volley from close range in the second half. [LNB] Related ArticlesWolves v Newcastle: liveWolves v Newcastle United: match previewWolves sign Mancienne on loanCardiff City sign Andy Keogh from Wolves on loanSport on televisionTransfer TalkMost of the players would feel like throwing one in the face of referee Stuart Attwell, who looked like he was on a one-man campaign to book as many players as possible: he only managed twelve. [LNB]The number of episodes in the controversies section on the young referee's Wikipedia page is now up to nine, and this was yet another display which demonstrated he is simply out of his depth at this level. [LNB]When James Perch took Matt Jarvis' legs away in the area, the Newcastle defender could conceivably have nicked the ball as it went behind. If he did, it should have been a corner. Naturally, Attwell awarded a goal-kick. [LNB]The 27-year-old is simply not suited to dealing with tough guys like Alan Smith and Joey Barton, his usual chirping self. Carroll, too, was making his presence known, a little too loudly for Attwell, who actually ran away with the Newcastle man in pursuit after he had indicated a goal-kick when Carroll skied a pass from Nolan which had left him perfectly placed in front of goal. [LNB]Despite Newcastle's reliance on unwieldy broadsword tactics get it up to Carroll the order of the day their most promising attack came from their smallest, slightest player. [LNB]Nine grumpy minutes had gone by when Wayne Routledge tricked Hahnemann into leaving his goal, the winger skipping round the American and delivering a cross into the box which Barton would have finished off had the pass been a little slower. As it was it fizzed through the area, allowing Hahnemann to recover. [LNB]McCarthy knew it was a let off, judging by the sounds he was making on the sideline. It had been a grim start, Ebanks-Blake hitting the post with a header from David Jones' corner, although he was given an opportunity to make amends in the 43rd minute, when Jelle Van Damme found the striker in the area. The 24-year-old dealt with Perch in the air, before volleying past Harper. [LNB]He would have had an opportunity for a second when Perch slid in on Matt Jarvis in the area, but Attwell dithered, and decided he could not award the penalty. [LNB]He showed no such indecision when Ronald Zubar caught Jonás Gutiérrez with his first touch (probably Attwell's only correct call). [LNB]Carroll's diagonal run through the box to intercept Barton's subsequent free kick was not picked up, and he was left with a free-header past Hahnemann. [LNB]
