Newcastle edge Wolves as Woltemade scores on dream debut

Newcastle United's new signing Nick Woltemade enjoyed a dream debut thanks to his towering first-half header that had St James' Park roaring in their 1-0 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The towering German, signed to replace Alexander Isak, struck in the 29th minute when Jacob Murphy whipped in a cross from the right. Woltemade shrugged off Emmanuel Agbadou and powered his header into the far corner from six metres out.

Nick Woltemade doing Nick Woltemade things. He’s had a really nice start to his PL debut.

Won all of his duels, created chances and now finishes like that. He’s going to score a lot of goals like that.

pic.twitter.com/BYNb2JAy5Q

— CounterPressers (@CounterPressers) September 13, 2025

It took Eddie Howe's side four matches to secure their first league win, easing pressure after a turbulent close-season in which Isak's standoff ended with Liverpool signing the 25-year-old for a British-record 125 million pounds ($169.45 million).

Though the match produced only one goal, it was an entertaining affair as club-record 69 million pounds ($93.54 million) signing Woltemade headed home to reward Newcastle after they had survived an early barrage.

Wolves had threatened from the opening seconds, Emmanuel Agbadou's long pass found Rodrigo Gomes one-on-one, but Nick Pope saved acrobatically, then blocked Hwang Hee-chan from the ensuing corner.

Newcastle responded through Murphy, whose early drive fizzed past the post, Gomes spurned another chance to level before Murphy twice went close at the other end, including a strike ruled out for offside on the stroke of halftime.

Sandro Tonali struck the post from outside the box in first-half added time. The second half opened with Newcastle looking sharper in attack. Harvey Barnes, Murphy and Woltemade combined neatly down the flanks.

Only Sam Johnstone's quick intervention stopped Barnes doubling the lead after Joelinton's through ball. Woltemade's debut ended in the 64th minute to a standing ovation.

Barnes later skied over after a slick passing move involving Livramento and Guimaraes in the 74th minute, as Newcastle searched for the cushion of a second goal and Wolves offered little threat as they struggled to match the urgency of their hosts.

Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde earned a late free kick when he was fouled by Bruno Guimaraes, who was booked in the 88th minute. Bellegarde's effort struck the wall and led to a wasted corner, leaving Newcastle with three points.

Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the table with no points, rekindling early-season worries after coach Vitor Pereira's rescue job last season.