Wolves boss Gary O’Neil called the decision to award Newcastle a first-half penalty in their 2-2 draw at Molineux “scandalous”.
O’Neil was delighted by the way his players battled back, twice coming from a goal down to earn an impressive point through Hwang Hee-chan’s equaliser, but Wolves were once again left fuming at the officials on a busy afternoon for referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Jarred Gillett.
The game was at 1-1, with Mario Lemina’s first Wolves goal cancelling out Callum Wilson’s opener, when Taylor pointed to the spot on the stroke of half-time.
Hwang had been guilty of a heavy touch inside his own box, inviting Fabian Schar to challenge for the ball, but the Newcastle man appeared to kick the turf and looked to already be on his way down before any contact.
There was a lengthy VAR check but the on-field decision stood, and Wilson kept his cool to put Newcastle back in front.
“It was a scandalous decision,” O’Neil said. “It was a terrible on-field decision, and terrible that VAR didn’t intervene so I thought they got it badly wrong.
“(Hwang) has a big touch…and then goes to clear the ball. He makes such minimal contact with Schar, hardly any, a glance of the boot.
“Schar’s is already on the way down and the ball actually hits ‘Channy’ on the other foot before he even makes contact with Schar so technically he gets the ball before he makes contact with Schar, so that’s why it’s a terrible decision.”
Wolves seemed to use their sense of injustice as fuel in the second half, and it was fitting that Hwang got the equaliser with his seventh goal of the season.
“There’s never any question marks from me on his mentality, his willingness to work, his ability to refocus and get going again,” O’Neil said of the Korean.
“Obviously he’s a threat, obviously his goalscoring this season for us has been a big plus and he gets another important one today.”
The draw extends Wolves’ unbeaten run to five games, and O’Neil said: “I’m really pleased with the group. We suffered some setbacks and I think everyone could be proud of their work-rate, the quality and the resilience.”
Eddie Howe was frustrated that Newcastle, playing for the first time since Sandro Tonali started a 10-month ban for betting offences, could not hold on for a win having twice led, but was happy with how they finished the match despite fatigue creeping in after Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
“It was probably a fair result,” he said. “Two good teams. It was a really good spectacle. It’s frustrating having led not to get over the line and win the game but it was a really impressive end when the home crowd is up.
“We’ve had a tough week with the Sandro situation and injuries to key players but it was a really good response.”
Wilson’s brace, including an acrobatic opener to tidy up his own rebound, took him to seven goals from nine appearances, encouraging news for Howe with Alexander Isak facing a spell on the sidelines.
“It was a massive contribution from Callum,” Howe said. “His first goal was hugely impressive, the first chance was the easier than the second but that’s typical Callum.
“He took the penalty well and was probably frustrated he didn’t get the match ball with a chance at the end, but they were priceless goals for us.”
Barcelona dealt injury blow with Olmo out for five weeks
Barcelona confirmed that Dani Olmo has been sidelined for up to five weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old appeared to suffer muscle discomfort after scoring in Sunday's 4-1 league win at Girona and was substituted in the 61st minute.
Olmo, who signed from RB Leipzig for €55million, missed the first two games of their season due to registration issues but has played in all three since.
He has netted three goals in those appearances, with only Robert Lewandowski netting more so far (four).
Olmo's injury is a blow to Hansi Flick's side as they begin their Champions League campaign against Monaco on Thursday, having already made a perfect start to LaLiga, with five wins from five.
The Spaniard is set to miss at least six games up to the October international break.
Frazsier's Whip to seek first points when they face Tigres Femenil at the National Stadium on Wednesday
Jamaica’s female club champion for football, Frazsiers Whip will host Mexican Football giants Tigres Femenil in a home match fixture of the CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup on Wednesday, September 18 at the National Stadium in Kingston. The competition features the 11 top women’s club teams in the CONCACAF region.
The 7pm encounter will see the home team attempt to win their first points in their Group A match up having lost their first two matches which sees them sitting at the foot of the table.
Team Manager, Marcia Pinnock is anticipating a better showing from the Jamaican champions. “The girls were competitive in the previous games, and we are expecting a much better showing on home soil. We want to encourage fans to come out and support the team and by extension, women’s football,” she said.
Cost to enter the game is J$500 for the Grandstand only.
Club Director Lenworth Kelly is targeting Corporate Companies to purchase batches of tickets for a wide cross-section of fans in high schools and communities to be able to see women’s club football.
Simeone: Atletico energised by Gallagher and Alvarez
The arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez have energised Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone said on Sunday.
Gallagher, who joined this summer from Premier League side Chelsea, scored his first LaLiga goal in Sunday's 3-0 home win over Valencia, opening the scoring in the first half.
He is now just the third youngest English goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight (24 years and 222 days), after Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood.
"He came with a lot of enthusiasm, and we needed that kind of player in the midfield because he makes us better," Simeone told a news conference.
"He does not stop giving his best in every game situation in which he participates."
Another new signing, Alvarez, scored in the 93rd minute, also his first goal in the Spanish top flight since joining from Manchester City.
He became the 14th Argentina player to score for Atletico in LaLiga this century.
"We all needed him to score a goal, for him to be more relaxed, to be connected to what he likes... hopefully the goal will be the first of many," the manager added.
"I imagine that he lives for the goal and the enthusiasm to generate this type of situation. Today he appeared as he always does at the least expected moment at the end of the game when hope seems to be fading and, luckily, he scored."
The Atletico boss added that the strengthened squad, which includes new signings such as Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, is gelling very well and that allows them to compete at the level they want to.
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