EFL Cup: Newcastle 2 Wolves 0 - Report and pictures

Analysis

If you asked anyone of a Wolves persuasion if they'd rather have three Championship points or a place in the EFL Cup fourth round from two visits to St James' Park...they'd surely choose the former.

But this was still an underwhelming and disappointing evening for Walter Zenga and his team.

Four days after that memorable 2-0 victory for Wolves, the same two clubs went head-to-head at the same stadium - but the contrast couldn't have been any starker.

In fact on Tuesday evening almost everything was the opposite of how it had been on Saturday afternoon, not least the scoreline.

This time it was Newcastle who made the better start, who created the better chances, who gave their fans reasons to be loud and proud.

The change in weather reflected that of Wolves - bright and sunny on Saturday was swapped with dark and drizzly on Tuesday.

And yet it all could have been so different had Jed Wallace not spurned a golden opportunity when the score was 0-0. He put his shot too close to the keeper when clean through. Seven minutes later Newcastle were two goals ahead.

Both teams had made eight changes and the deeper levels of quality in Newcastle's squad told.

The squad Fosun, Kevin Thelwell and co have assembled is of an excellent standard for this division, But while Wolves are still bedding in the likes of Paul Gladon, Silvio and Ola John, Newcastle could bring in the likes of Ciaran Clark, Jack Colback and Yoan Gouffran - proven players in English football.

This was by no means a disaster of a performance though, far from it.

After Newcastle's two quickfire goals this could easily have descended into a rout. Wolves avoided that and also scuppered another good chance with 13 minutes to go, after John sparked the move of the match but couldn't finish it.

A goal there would have made things interesting, but it wasn't to be, and Wolves failed to reach the fourth round of the EFL Cup - a feat they haven't managed since 2011.

Key moments

10 - The hosts make the better start, winning several corners, although Andy Lonergan isn't tested. Wolves keep giving the ball away in midfield.

14 - Jed Wallace wins the ball down the right and crosses low towards Paul Gladon - he's in a great position but when he gets his shot away it's blocked.

24 - A flick makes its way between the Newcastle back two and Wallace nips in - he's through on goal and should score, but put his low shot too close to Karl Darlow. A great opportunity spurned.

29 - GOAL - And Wolves are punished just five minutes later when Newcastle take the lead. Matt Ritchie ghosts in behind Cameron Borthwick-Jackson via a one-two and finishes coolly past Lonergan from the right of the six-yard box.

31 - GOAL - Two goals in two minutes as Newcastle take a firm grip on the game. This one's an absolutely stunning strike from Yoan Gouffran - he meets Ritchie's deep cross with a first-time volley from 15 yards which flies past a helpless Lonergan. What a hit.

32 - And almost a third as Daryl Murphy's header deflects just over the bar. Newcastle are rampant.

42 - After a much-needed period of calm Wolves go close to pulling one back. Joao Teixeira wins the ball in midfield, beautifully glides past a challenge and sets Gladon racing down the right - his cross is good but drops just a fraction ahead of Wallace.

43 - Murphy gets up well to head just wide as Newcastle threaten again.

46 - Zenga reacts by replacing Teixeira with Ola John at half time. It's a debut for the on-loan Benfica man as Wolves go 4-4-2 with John left wing, Wallace right and Mason and Gladon up top.

49 - Should be 3-0. Mo Diame with a gorgeous chip, over Lonergan and against the bar - then Gouffran somehow lashes miles over from six yards. As opposed to his earlier goal...what a miss.

58 - Newcastle are well on top and Silvio and Borthwick-Jackson have to block goalbound shots from Ritchie and Jonjo Shelvey. Jack Colback then whistles an effort wide. There's no sign of a Wolves comeback.

77 - After a long lull in proceedings the outstanding Ritchie cuts inside Borthwick-Jackson and fires goalwards - Iorfa gets in a crucial block ahead of his keeper.

77 - The move of the match so far, and it comes from Wolves. John comes deep, plays to Saville who flicks to Price - he looks up and dinks a beauty over the back line where John has continued his run. He's in a superb position but his touch is heavy and Darlow comes out to block.

89 - Not for the first time tonight it should be 3-0 Newcastle. Murphy misses from six yards.

91 - More great work from Ola John who goes on a tricky run. The ball cannons to Gladon whose shot is well saved by Darlow.

Man of the match

Ola John - produced Wolves' only two chances of the second half with his direct, tricky and pacey approach.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Hanley, Clark, Lazaar; Shelvey (c), Colback; Ritchie (Lascelles, 85), Diame (Perez, 72), Gouffran (Atsu, 74); Murphy. Subs: Woodman, Dummett, Hayden, Mitrovic.

Goals: Ritchie (29), Gouffran (31)

Wolves (4-3-3): Lonergan; Silvio, Iorfa, Hause, Borthwick-Jackson; Teixeira (John, 45), Coady (c), Saville; Mason (Price, 62), Gladon, Wallace (Bodvarsson, 78). Subs: Ikeme, Batth, Doherty, Oniangue.

Attendance: 34,735

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)