Newcastle United moved into the top four of the Premier League table with a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park.
Alexander Isak continued his fine goalscoring run with a strike in either half while Anthony Gordon was once again on the scoresheet. The Magpies claimed a ninth consecutive win in all competitions for the first time during the same top-flight season.
Eddie Howe made nine changes from Sunday’s FA Cup third round win over Bromley. Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy were passed fit following their recent knocks, while Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes were recalled.
Fabian Schar dropped out of the matchday squad through illness which handed a recall to Emil Krafth following two months out with a broken collarbone.
A scrappy start to the game was reflected by the opening goal when Isak’s shot took a big deflection off Rayan Ait-Nouri on its way past Jose Sa. Not that Swede cared mind as he broke Alan Shearer’s record by scoring for an eighth consecutive Premier League game.
Isak then doubled United’s lead just before the hour-mark when he got on the end of a Guimaraes pass. Isak turned provider when he set up Gordon.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at St James’ Park - and here his Newcastle United player ratings:

1. Newcastle United player ratings from the 3-0 win over Wolves
Getty Images

2. Martin Dubravka - 8
Saw a couple of dangerous Wolves shots flash past his post in the first-half. Made some routine before pulling off an excellent save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen in the closing stages. | Getty Images

3. Tino Livramento - 6
Linked up well with Jacob Murphy down the right and made some good overlapping runs. Caught out a couple of times defensively. | Getty Images

4. Sven Botman - 7
Given a couple of hairy moments by Jorgen Strand Larsen but stuck to his defensive task to keep a clean sheet. | Wolves via Getty Images