Newcastle 0 Wolves 2: Rafa Benitez’s promotion bubble bursts as Walter Zenga’s side shock Magpies

RAFA BENITEZ warned that there would be days like this.

And just four days after equalling their record away league win, Newcastle were brought to their knees by Wolves at St James’ Park.

And next up for Newcastle? Walter Zenga’s men at home in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday night.

This was a dreadful Newcastle performance capped by a Chancel Mbemba own goal and a red card for Dutch midfielder Vurnon Anita.

And if players or fans thought promotion would be a stroll after the 6-0 win at QPR, this was the reality check they may have needed.

Newcastle never looked capable of securing a sixth successive league win that would have kept leaders Huddersfield in their sights.

Instead, like Fulham and the Terriers did in the first two games, Wolves inflicted an embarrassing defeat on boss Benitez.

And after starting the day 16th in the Championship, Zenga’s side are now just three points behind third-placed Toon.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson led the celebrations with the Icelandic thunder-clap, which echoed round St James’ Park long after the majority of the Toon Army had abandoned their posts.

By the time Anita was sent off with three minutes remaining, the home seats had emptied.

But the damage was done long before referee Tim Robinson made the ridiculous decision to show the red card for a mistimed but far from malicious tackle on Ivan Cavaleiro.

Newcastle are certain to appeal against a three-match ban for the only outfield ever-present in black and white this season.

An angry Benitez was with his players for nearly an hour after the game and was clearly unhappy with the performance.

He will make changes on Tuesday anyway — another three yesterday, compared with Zenga’s six — but a display like this gives the Spaniard an excuse to wield the axe with venom.

Benitez said: “I was not expecting to start as we started.

“We started to make mistake after mistake — and after the own goal we gave them the opportunity to believe.

“They were organised and worked hard but we made too many wrong decisions and it is difficult to manage when you have so many things wrong.