Wolves 1 : Newcastle 1

Wolves and Newcastle shared the points Saturday in a fiery encounter at Molineux Stadium which saw twelve yellow cards issued.

Wolverhampton manager Mick McCarthy made one change from last weekend's draw with Everton, Jelle Van Damme coming in for George Elokobi, while Chris Hughton stuck with the same Newcastle starting line-up which thrashed Aston Villa.

Newcastle had the better of the early stages with Andy Carroll's looping header easily caught by Markus Hahnemann, but the goalkeeper almost conceded just moments later when Wayne Routledge passed him and delivered a pull-back that just missed the on-rushing Joey Barton.

A mistake by Wolves defender Van Damme gave Kevin Nolan a chance, but his flicked shot was saved by Hahnemann before Sylvan Ebanks-Blake went close to opening the scoring for the hosts, heading a David Jones corner against the post from close range.

Kevin Nolan should have done better with a volley from Routledge's cross five minutes from half time, but he shot over. Seconds later Nolan turned provider for Carroll, but the striker also wasted the chance, firing over from six yards.

Wolves took the lead two minutes before half time when Van Damme's cross from the right was superbly controlled by Ebanks-Blake, who then smashed the ball into the net from six yards out.

But the visitors were level in the 62nd minute after Barton's free kick from the right was met by Carroll who headed home from eight yards.

Some great work down the right flank by Routledge set up Nolan for a close range volley but Hahnemann did well to beat the ball away.

In turn, some fine individual skill on the Wolves' left by Ebanks-Blake saw a cross towards substitute Stephen Fletcher which just missed the striker.