Newcastle United’s defeat to Wolves on Sunday saw them set the record for their worst ever start after nine home matches of a season in the top four tiers of English football.
Rafa Benitez’s side have picked up just six points from their first nine matches at St James’ Park this season, winning two and losing seven.
Those two victories came in quick succession against Watford and Bournemouth in November, but since then they have lost home clashes with West Ham and now Wolves.
Diogo Jota gave the away side a first half lead on Sunday, before a glancing header from Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez levelled the scores before half-time.
Magpies’ right-back DeAndre Yedlin was sent off in the second half after hauling down Jota, before Wolves’ Doherty notched his second goal in three league matches to snatch a late victory for the visitors.
The defeat leaves Newcastle in 15th place having registered just 13 points from their opening 16 matches of the season, whilst Wolves have moved back into the top half after successive league victories.
Benitez’s side have now lost two matches in the 90th minute this term, more than any other side in the league.
This was also Wolves’ first ever Premier League win over Newcastle after drawing four and losing two of their previous six meetings.
Getty Images
Yedlin’s red card was the 82nd time that a Newcastle player has been sent off in the Premier League. Only Everton (91) and Arsenal (86) have had more.
Having failed to win any league matches until November, many felt that Newcastle had turned a corner with victories over Watford, Bournemouth and Burnley last month.
But they are unlikely to avoid a relegation scrap unless their home form improves in the near future.
They currently sit just three points adrift of the relegation zone and face Huddersfield Town, Fulham, Liverpool and Watford before the end of the month.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
