BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 9 in a row Wolves match | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United winning against Wolves and moving into the Premier League top four.

United making it nine wins in a row.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics (almost!) entirely absent, concentrating on matters on the pitch…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Wolves fans and the odd Newcastle United supporter also contributing:

‘Did Tonali stop running at all?! What a player. Carried the midfield on his own. Gave the ball away twice!

We paid £70m for Casemiro! Blimey.

Well played Newcastle.’

‘Tonali has made the difference- allows Bruno to step forward and protects the defence. Borderline World Class player.’

‘Borderline?’

‘The Italians call him the new Pirlo, that’s all you need to know. Brilliant player.’

‘There was a moment early in the Arsenal game where Murphy was being pressed, surrounded by 3 Arsenal shirts, sure to lose the ball. In steps Tonali, receives the ball, holds of the press, pops a short pass to Livramento and off again. It was so simple yet incredibly difficult at the same time. He looks some player.’

‘I agree he’s in a rich vein of form at the minute and was outstanding tonight… it’s seems NUFC standing by their man during a self inflicted low point in his career is paying off with his all round attitude since his return!’

‘Newcastle too good for us and hope they win the league this season.’

‘Oil money.’

‘What a save from Dubravka! That one he deflected onto the woodwork.’

‘Great game! I’m glad Wolves didn’t park the bus even though our goal difference suffered. Newcastle are great to watch and I hope Wolves stay up so we can have more of the same next season.’

‘(Wolves fan) It would be great for Newcastle supporters, the city and for football if you won the premier league. The financial rules are commercially unfair to any new teams that have the capability to establish their brand and is going against the pyramid of football.’

‘Alexander Isak- Alexander the great!

Some player this Swedish international, he’s getting better and better.

Worth more than his weight in gold you suspect.’

’12 stone of 24ct gold is worth £5.1 million, so he’s actually worth 30 time his weight in gold.’

‘Great job Newcastle United, and congrats on currently being 4th. Keep it up, and now? Good luck battling Chelsea for that Champions League spot. Also win that Carabao Cup!’

‘From a Wolves perspspective normal service now resumed. Good luck Victor but not sure there is a manager in the world could sort out the shambles perpetrated by Fosun and Shi in systematically running our football club into the ground over 3/4 years after their hollow, empty promises at the beginning.

Good luck Newcastle, like many before in recent times you outclassed us.’

‘70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. The rest is covered by Sandro Tonali.’

‘As a long suffering Newcastle fan I’m conditioned to think one step closer to 40 points and I don’t want to get carried away but my word do we have some team at the moment, every one of our lads are stepping up and showing they belong in Howe’s black and white army, so proud of them, gave their all again!’

‘Wolves play some good stuff. They will be fine. Newcastle were good again and a few more games coming up they should win.’

‘(Liverpool fan) Isak is in the top five best strikers in world football.’

‘Who is number 1 to 4?’

‘Haaland, Kane, Lewandowski but idk who else? Gyrokeres?’

‘I’d take Isak.’

‘I genuinely think Isak is ahead of Kane on the basis he can do everything that Kane can do and can also dribble and press.’

‘I would put him above Kane and Haaland. Kane is miles away from Isak for ball control and the same goes for Haaland.’

‘Wolves had their chances but the woodwork, poor finishing and shocking marking for the toon goals cost us …… as usual! It’s going to be a long grind until the end of the season. UTW.’

‘£200 million on isak now who can afford that.’

‘Chelsea. If they sell their team to themselves.’

‘Tonali what a player. I actually want Newcastle to win the league after watching that. Always on the front foot, so entertaining unlike Man City, Arsenal etc with their 1990’s Serie A approach.’

‘Thought our midfield got over run on Newcastle’s counters, defensively still far too leaky, think the new lad has potential, certainly a unit.

Kept battling though which was good to see, we’ve got goals in us, would like a midfield leader to come in and take us by the scruff of the neck.

Panicky 4 months ahead.

Fair play Toon get that top 4.’

‘The game was fluid, smooth attacks assured defence. Newcastle are unplayable right now.’

‘Whilst Isak was everything the world’s best striker should be, Tonali was my man of the match….talk about running the show. He was phenomenal.’

‘Seeing Dan Burn close up what an under rated player. Great technical skill, commitment and determination.’

Newcastle 3 Wolves 0 – Wednesday 15 January 2025 7.30pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 34, 57, Gordon 74

Wolves:

Possession was Newcastle 60% Wolves 40%

Total shots were Newcastle 17 Wolves 13

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Wolves 7

Corners were Newcastle 4 Wolves 2

Touches in the box Newcastle 32 Wolves 23

Newcastle team v Wolves:

Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 85), Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Miley 83), Bruno, Murphy (Almiron 78), Isak (Osula 78), Gordon (Willock 78)

Unused subs:

Vlachodimos, Kelly, Krafth, Longstaff

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Weekend of Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle TBC (FA Cup)