Ritchie - 'First Goal Was Crucial'

By Dan King - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Matt Ritchie felt the first goal was crucial as Newcastle beat Wolves in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Four days earlier, in the Sky Bet Championship, Walter Zenga's Wanderers took advantage of United's slow start to open the scoring through Chancel Mbemba's own goal, and went on to win 2-0 at St. James' Park.

But this time around it was Rafa Benitez's men who took the lead - and that gave them the platform to gain a 2-0 win of their own to progress to the last 16 of the cup.

It was wideman Ritchie who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute and he told nufcTV: "To be honest, I think the games were very similar. On Saturday, they scored the first goal and I think again (on Tuesday) it could have gone either way.

"In the first half, we were lucky enough to get the first goal and we didn't look back. I think if that had been the case on Saturday, it could have been the same story. We had a few chances in the first half on Saturday and didn't take them, and we got beat.

"But it was a very similar game, especially in the first half. It would have been difficult, if Wolves had scored first again, for us to get back in the game because they're solid, organised and a tough team to play against, but when we scored the first goal we really took control of the game and the second one helped in quick succession."

Ritchie combined well with Jack Colback to fire past Andy Lonergan for his second goal for the Club - and his first from open play - following his summer move from Bournemouth.

"We've been working in training on getting people around the ball and in support, and Jack played a lovely ball in behind for me," he explained.

"Luckily enough, I stayed calm and tucked it in the corner so I was delighted with that. I've had a couple of chances - I still have sleepless nights about that one at Fulham - so it was good to get off the mark from open play and hopefully the goals will come."

The Scotland international also set up Yoan Gouffran's glorious volley two minutes later, and grinned: "What a strike.

"It was a fantastic strike against Derby and again (on Tuesday) I think it was probably better. Everyone knows Gouff's been fantastic so far this season and long may it continue."

Ritchie was one of only three United players to start both matches against Wolves but he insisted: "I'll play in every game - I never need a rest.

"Footballers love playing football. There's not many footballers out there that I know who would want a rest and I'm certainly not one of them.

"We went into the game and we knew that we owed them one a little bit, because we felt a little bit hard done by at the weekend."

You can watch the full nufcTV interview with Matt Ritchie here