Newcastle United picked up a hard-earned three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers to get their European bid back on track.
Although it took a 79th minute winner from substitute Miguel Almiron to end United's run of five Premier League matches without a win. Almiron pounced on a day in which he'd been dropped for the first time this season but ended it all smiles after grabbing his 11th of the season.
Newcastle had gone ahead in the first half through Alexander Isak but were pegged back in the second half by a battling Wolves side.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Wolves highlights and reaction
Howe had made five changes to his team for the clash with Joelinton suspended for the first of a two-game ban and Anthony Gordon ruled out with an ankle injury. Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles were all benched in favour of Alexander Isak, Allan Saint-Maximin and Fabian Schar.
Murphy's first piece of the action came after a minute when he hung up a cross which Wolves keeper Jose Sa initially dropped before claiming at the second attempt. Two minutes later, Kieran Trippier conceded a free-kick as he took down Adama Traore but the Magpies cleared the danger.
A deflected effort from Murphy was easily gathered by Sa on eight minutes after he'd got free down the left. Newcastle were handed a golden chance just outside the 18-yard box when Bruno Guimaraes was upended.
However, Trippier's blasted effort only struck the Wolves wall and the visitors cleared their lines with a great opportunity squandered. Dan Burn made a forward run on 14 minutes and won a corner on the left-hand side after Nelson Semedo made a block but again Wolves dealt with the pressure.
There were hearts in mouths at St James' Park when Sven Botman's back-pass fell short for Nick Pope. The Toon stopper ended up in a tangle with Raul Jimenez who went down but after a VAR check Andy Madley did not award a spot-kick.
Newcastle took the lead on 26 minutes after the Magpies won a free-kick around 30 yards from goal. Trippier swung the delivery in and Sweden international Isak glanced home in the box to put United in the lead.
United should have doubled their money moments later when Isak, suddenly full of confidence, picked the ball up on the left. It fell for Murphy then Willock but he somehow steered wide from close range.
The midfielder put his hands on his head knowing that the goal would have given Newcastle some much-needed goal difference. Another great chance fell the way of United when Burn hooked the ball across the face of the goal after Trippier's corner but Bruno's header cannoned off the bar.
It was Wolves would be denied by the woodwork next. Daniel Prodence was allowed to take a run at the Newcastle defence and unleashed a powerful low effort which struck the base of the upright and bounced to safety.
Murphy attempted a long range effort on 40 minutes but Sa would gather comfortably. Newcastle had another chance from a free-kick when Murphy was fouled by Podence - who was booked for his trouble - but Trippier's set-piece but Craig Dawson cleared.
It was Newcastle who went in ahead at the break after creating a dozen goal attempts but Wolves were left fuming over their penalty claim with TV replays showing Jimenez may have got a penalty on another day. Wolves made a change at the break when Traore went off for Pedro Neto.
The first chance of the second half fell for Ruben Neves but he struck high over the bar after getting a sight of goal at the Gallowgate End. Saint-Maximin slipped in Willock down the left on 55 minutes but his effort was saved by Sa.
Pope saved United on 58 minutes when Wolves won a free-kick right on the edge of the D. Joao Moutinho prodded the ball to Neto and Pope tipped the ball on to the crossbar. And Newcastle made it to the hour with their slender lead still intact.
With Wolves edging possession the ball dropped for Neves again on 62 minutes but he blazed over. Pope then made a valuable save low down two minutes later to deny Moutinho
Howe decided to bring on fresh legs when Allan Saint-Maximin's number came up and he was replaced by Almiron. Isak was also withdrawn mid-way through the second half for Wilson. Wolves made a treble change with Neves, Podence and Jonny replaced by Matheus Nunes, Hwang Hee-Chan and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
It was the Wolves tactical reshuffle that had an immediate impact though with the South Korea star Hwang who powered past both Longstaff and Willock. Hwang tried to help the ball on to Jimenez before an untimely slip from Trippier played the ball back into his path and he applied the finish for the equaliser with 20 minutes to go.
Three minutes later Newcastle had a shout for a penalty themselves when Schar was shoved by Jimenez but VAR and Madley decided against a spot-kick. With 11 minutes left, however, and Howe thinking about more changes it was the man who'd been benched that put Newcastle back in the lead.
Almiron played a wonderful one-two with Willock before clipping it past Sa via a slight deflection and sprinting to the fans in celebration. It was the perfect response from the man who'd lost his place and it sent St James' into raptures - although there was also a feeling of relief.
Howe turned to one of his old guard in Matt Ritchie for the final five minutes as he replaced Murphy. Deep into stoppage time Almiron cut the ball back for Botman but he fired wide and missed the chance to put the lid on things.
That resulted in a nervous finale for the Magpies but Newcastle managed to negotiate the closing seconds and hold on for their first win since mid-January. The win puts Newcastle back into fifth and four points behind Tottenham Hotspur with two matches in hand, their Champions League fate now firmly back in their hands.
Attendance: 52,240
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
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