Newcastle v Wolves ratings: Guimaraes 8, Wood 7; Sa 5, Hwang 4

Chris Wood scores as Magpies move 10 points clear of Premier League relegation zone

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  NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Martin Dubravka – 6. The Slovakian goalkeeper was unused for much of the first half, but he was put to work when called on to stop Silva’s effort at his near post in the closing stages. Reuters

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  Emil Krafth – 7. Having been dropped for Newcastle’s defeat against Spurs, the Swede was keen to impress, and he looked to match Targett’s pace on the opposite wing, making overlapping runs and kickstarting the move for Wood’s disallowed goal. Getty

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  Fabian Schar – 6. The Switzerland international was unable to replicate his goal against Spurs just before half-time when his free-kick was blocked by the wall. Booked. PA

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  Dan Burn – 7. Had one of Newcastle’s best opportunities when Wood headed the ball on for the former Brighton man to shoot at Sa. Much better display in defence than against Spurs. PA

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  Matt Targett – 6. The Aston Villa loanee continues to prove to be an outlet on the wing, though his set-pieces were unable to spark anything. AFP

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  Bruno Guimaraes – 8 The Brazilian made his first Premier League start since his arrival at St James’ Park in January and nearly set up the opener when he played a neat one-two with Almiron to pass to Wood. Getty

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  Jonjo Shelvey – 6. Hardworking as he looked to influence the game, but couldn’t match his partner’s influence in the midfield. AFP

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  Joelinton – 6. Having shaken off an injury moments before, Joelinton could have made it 2-0 for the Magpies when the ball fell to his feet on the edge of the box and he forced Sa into a save. Getty

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  Ryan Fraser – N/A. Having attempted to run off a muscle injury, the Scottish international was unable to carry on and saw his night come to an early end 13 minutes in. Reuters

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  Chris Wood – 7 Having thought he’d scored, only for VAR to rule it offside, Wood finally netted when he was brought down in the penalty box and recovered to send Sa the wrong way. AFP

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  Allan Saint-Maximin – 6. Repeatedly the outlet for Newcastle, Saint-Maximin caused havoc with runs into the final third. Had one effort on goal inside 65 minutes, but it was poorly executed. AFP

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  SUBS: Miguel Almiron (Fraser 13’) – 7. Recipient of a long ball, which he flicked onto his other leg to volley over Sa’s goal. Played a neat one-two for Wood’s goal with a backheel, only to see him judged to be offside. Getty

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  Sean Longstaff (Guimaraes 88’) – N/A. A late change with Bruno receiving the praise by the home fans. Getty

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  Jacob Murphy (Saint-Maximin 90+4’) – N/A. Another appearance from the bench from Murphy to see out the game. Getty

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  WOLVES RATINGS: Jose Sa – 5 Was furious when Wood was brought down in the box, and unable to keep a clean sheet as he was sent the wrong way. Lucky when Almiron’s effort dribbled wide of the post, thanks to a deflection from Moutinho. AP

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  Willy Boly – 5. Not at his best as he toiled with the pace and winding moves of Saint-Maximin, which he finally got to terms with in the last 10 minutes. AFP

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  Conor Coady – 6. Came off worse from a block on Saint Maximin’s early shot, but was thankfully able to continue, putting in a necessary block to deny Saint Maximin’s cross. Reuters

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  Max Kilman – 5. The young defender was extremely lucky for VAR’s intervention when his clearance nipped by Almiron before he lost track of the substitute and Bruno. Getty

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  Jonny Otto – 6. Saw his first shot powered over the bar in a rare moment of attack, whilst his effort in the closing stages was easily collected by Dubravka. AFP

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  Luke Cundle – 6. Replacing Leander Dendoncker to make his second start, the 19-year-old was joined with the experienced Moutinho and showed great vision to pick out his partner in the second half with a long ball. AP

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  Joao Moutinho – 6. The 36-year-old was left trying to clean up a messy first half by his team. Got them on the front foot in the second, with a superb touch to control Cundle’s long pass. Booked. AFP

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  Marcal – 5. The Brazilian seemed to have been given permission to run and open the left wing much more as Wolves started to grow into the game in the second half. Getty

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  Francisco Trincao – 5. Part of the Wolves front three, Trincao was another player who struggled to make things happen in the first half but who kickstarted his performance in the second, before his substitution. Reuters

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  Hee-chan Hwang – 4. After looking uninterested in the first half, the Korean burst from the halfway line, controlling the ball well before weaving into the box and shooting wide. AFP

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  Fabio Silva – 6. Won his second successive start. The 19-year-old looked much hungrier in the second half as he sprung into action and collided with Bruno when attempting to regain possession. Worked Dubravka with a great effort from outside the box at the near post with 10 minutes left. AFP

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  SUBS: Pedro Neto (Hwang 78’) – N/A. In response to going 1-0 down and away fans calling for his introduction, the 22-year-old immediately made a positive impact. PA

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  Rayan Ait-Nouri (Marcal 86’) – N/A. A late change as Bruno Lage looked for a late equaliser. Chem Campbell (Tricano 78’) – N/A. A Premier League debut for the 19-year-old Wolves youth product. Getty

Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to take Newcastle United a comfortable 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation spots with a 1-0 win at home to Wolves on Friday.

The New Zealand striker was on target in the 72nd minute - his second goal for the Magpies since his January move from Burnley.

Newcastle entered the game on the back of a 5-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur, their third successive league defeat. However, they are now on the brink of safety, which is great news for the Saudi-backed consortium who bought the club in October.

"It is fantastic. There is something about playing in front of St James' Park and we want to get them up for it. Luckily today we did," Wood said.

"We need points and to get out of the relegation battle, so I'm more delighted with the three points. We want this club to go to the next level. We need to get to 40 points and then build."

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe added: "I think the supporters are enjoying seeing a team willing to run and fight for every ball.

"I think it was a sense of achievement off the back of three defeats and a disappointing second half against Tottenham."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.