Saint-Maximin stunner snatches late draw for Newcastle to deny Wolves

Do not be fooled into believing these teams’ fourth 1-1 draw at Molineux in five seasons indicates any lack of entertainment after Allan Saint-Maximin’s brilliant late volley extended Newcastle United’s unbeaten start to the season.

The French forward smashed home a memorable equaliser in the 89th minute, after Hwang Hee-chan’s miscued attempted clearance fell his way on the edge of the penalty area, to leave Wolves ruing their failure to convert more than one of their few but clearcut chances after Rúben Neves had given them the lead late in the first half with a superb goal of his own.

Wolves are left still seeking their first three points of the season but they were relieved to claim one after a hectic nine minutes of added time. Saint-Maximin, after his first goal in nearly eight months, ran clear only for José Sá to save brilliantly and then Neves, tussling with substitute Elliot Anderson, nudged the ball against his own crossbar. Then Fabian Schär shot his free-kick just wide with the last kick of the match.

Soaring optimism at Newcastle’s fine start to the season was tempered an hour before kick-off by the unavailability of their most recent record signings: the £35m January acquisition Bruno Guimarães through injury and Alexander Isak, still awaiting international clearance after his £60m move from Real Sociedad on Friday.

The home side, by contrast, could name their strongest side in recalling Raúl Jiménez and Nélson Semedo for their first league starts of a season desperately needing the pick-me-up of a victory. It would be premature to suggest Bruno Lage is under pressure but, without a win in 10 Premier League games stretching back to April, Wolves were conscious they need their new signings to meld quickly