Everton 4 - 0 Wolves
Armando Broja is finally included in the squad as Everton seek an answer to their goal drought
In a crunch 6-pointer under the lights at Goodison Park , Everton finally found the goals they'd been sadly missing — except for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who thought he'd scored two, but they were given as own-goals by Wolves defender Dawson.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns to the front line, with Orel Mangala partnering Idrissa Gana Gueye in midfield, Jesper Lindstrøm stepping down to the bench after he continues to disappoint as an attacking or set-piece threat.
Armando Broja is finally included in the senior squad for an Everton game over 3 months after he joined the club on loan from Chelsea, having spent most of that time recovering from an Achilles injury.
No need to tell you how Everton started the game, as Wolves mounted the first attack with Strand Larsen bursting down the left but his dangerous cross was mishit behind. Strand Larsen then crossed in, Branthwaite heading it behind for a corner, Gomes shooting well wide.
Article continues below video content
Wolves got forward again and Cunha tested Pickford, forcing a save low to his left. Everton finally got forward, Dcucure blasting over, but Everton were given a free-kick for a foul on Calvert-Lewin. Ashley Young took it superbly, curling it around the wall and just inside the near post! An Everton goal! Fantastic!!!
The goal was completely against the early run of play, which resumed with the black-shirted visitors continuing to run freely at the Everton defence, But Anther foul on Calvert-Lewin, another super free-kick, and another splendid goal as James Tarkowski headed it well beyond Sa. Mangala, offside, had blocked Lemina but it should never have been disallowed on review for that! VAR is absolute garbage.
Calvert-Lewin got forward and was played in beautifully but his attempt was too easily closed down as he failed to lift the ball with any skill or guile over the keeper's body to actually score.
Young then played a lovely low cross that should have been perfect for Calvert-Lewin to convert but the Everton centre-forward was hanging back in his own inimitable fashion and the chance evaporated in front of him.
Strand Larsen almost scored with a ball from a throw-in but for Pickford's one-handed reaction save. Ndiaye tried to advance but his path was too easily blocked and Wolves were attacking again, a brilliant volleyed cross from Doherty somehow spurned by Strand Larsen.
But another free-kick wide right, Myklenko's shot blocked out to Orel Mangala who volleyed it, deflected through the crowd and into the net, instant redemption!
Mangala was wrongly judged to have fouled Ait-Nouri, who ran into him as the Everton midfielder backheeled the ball away from him… but that warranted a yellow card from this useless referee.
Young again delivered a lovely cross but Calvert-Lewin was on the wrong side of the defender and could not head it. McNeil's strong shot was deflected off Lemina's head, across goal and just past the other angle. From the corner, Tarkowski's header was too close to Sa.
Doucouré completely wasted a moment when space opened up for him and the chance to shoot went to his head. Branthwaite had to be strong to hold off two attackers as the much-delayed half-time whistle blew.
Wolves restarted and won an early corner that spawned another. After clearing it, Everton got a soft corner at the other end, McNeil's superb delivery to the far post and in – a Dawson own-goal, under close attention from Calvert-Lewin (who didn't seem to touch it!).
Calvert-Lewin tried an audacious shot wide left, a bit like Keane's brilliant goal... except that it was way off target. Wolves kept running at Everton, Cunha always a threat but unable to cause any real damage.
Ndiaye scored after Calvert-Lewin had fouled Sa, as it was disallowed. Wolves hit the post with a header at the other end. Ndiaye waa ken down for another wide free-kick, McNeil delivering it nicely for a diving header from Calvert-Lewin.... only it wasn't – the last touch again a Dawson own-goal!
Ndiaye was fouled again, this time by Gomes. Young rolled the free-kick in for Calvert-Lewin to gather, turn and shoot… wide across goal.
Ndiaye galloped forward, his shot careening off a defender and behind for a corner taken by Harrison. Broja came on and did well to hold off two defenders before Lindstrom crossed for a perfect chance for Harrison in front of goal that he skied abysmally.
Brja again worked hard and the ball came back again for Jack Harrison and again he blazed the ball high wide and horribly off target. But Everton had scored enough for a famous victory under the lights.
Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Young, Ndiaye, Doucoure (83' Lindstrøm), Gueye, Mangala [Y:35'] (89' Armstrong), McNeil (74' Harrison), Calvert-Lewin (83' Broja).
Subs not Used: Virginia, Patterson, Beto, O'Brien, Coleman.
Wolves: Sa, Doherty (77' R Gomes), Dawson, Bueno (77' T Gomes), Ait-Nouri, J Gomes (85' Doyle), Andre, Lemina, Guedes (57' Hwang), Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Subs not Used: Bellegarde, Bentley, Forbs, Johnstone, Lima.
Attendance: 38,820
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:22:50
Not a great deal of change or thought of change or surprise gone into that team selection. There again, didn't expect anything else from Dyche.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:25:44
It's Mangala in for Lindstrom.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:30:21
Don't mind that team. Should overpower them in midfield and there are goals in the frontline. He has decent options off the bench if things need to change.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:32:54
What's that old adage? If it doesn't work, don't change it.
Having said that, I presume ( hope) 3 actually in midfield.
Such a dinosaur but just maybe he will get lucky tonight, although if I were Beto, I would be waiting behind DCL to punch his lights out.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:34:46
Extra power in the midfield. That's where games are won and lost most of the time but it needs a wholehearted effort for 90 minutes and not just the first fifteen.
God please give us some goals !
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:35:08
So Dyche gives Beto a game where he was never going to excel let's be honest and then instead of persist with him he's goes back to the old tried and tested.
Great man management of players I don't think.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:36:04
One change and all the regular wasters are STILL in - should have swapped them with the bench - quicker the dinosaur goes the better 🤷😡😡😡
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:38:36
Not convinced it's a 433, more likely a 451.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:44:26
Doesnt matter what formation he puts out as soon as kick off comes it falls apart and becomes a mish mash of hoofball 🤷😡
Posted 04/12/2024 at 18:54:38
Dyches stubbornness to change anything will be his downfall.
We cannot take much more of this.
Any news on Friedkin folks?
Posted 04/12/2024 at 19:03:40
I don't think he has fooled the Wolves manager with this line up it is the usual snafu Dyche tactical masterpiece
Posted 04/12/2024 at 19:06:37
Looks like 4 5 1 to me too. Beto will be on his way come January, unless someone comes in with a shed load of dosh for DCL. Good to see Broja on the bench, hopefully he'll get a run out when we're 4 nil up !
Posted 04/12/2024 at 19:25:01
The team is set up to not win.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 20:34:24
Two goals! Should have been three... even more if Calvert-Lewin wasn't unmitigated shite as a striker.
But every time Wolves stream forward, I am extremely nervous.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 20:35:26
2-0 up and we've been shite, unbelievable
Posted 04/12/2024 at 20:40:04
2-0. Awesome.
Can't honestly say we've been good but the goal definitely lifted us.
Can never feel safe. They've had some good chances and we'll see if our side can handle a bit of pressure.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 20:43:55
Hand of God. 3-0
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:07:01
We should sign Dawson
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:22:42
Dawson MOM unexpected selection of him by Dyche
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:24:15
No one has scored fewer goals than us other than the teams who have failed to score as much.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:33:11
phew !! Don't know why DCL needs a mention in Headline though. Churlish., as shite as he has been.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:33:33
The most mean spirited headline in TW history. I think we get it Michael you dont like the guy but ffs take the win, its not like we have many to celebrate
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:34:11
That was great. Compared to Beto, Broja is like Dennis Bergkamp. Well, so am I, I guess. This was a game Dyche saw as winnable so he opted to win it.
Harrison should be embarrassed at his performance; no one paid to play football should be as bad as that. Utterly devoid of technique.
What a difference confidence makes!
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:35:31
I hope Broja can stay fit, we will need him, Mangala must start more also. Just shows what can happen when Dyche uses more of the squad.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:36:32
Footballs a funny old game.
Wolves were the better side for most of that match and we won 4-0 🤷♂️
Thought Broja applied himself well when he came on.
Poor old Beto did not look happy.
Can we send Harrison back to Leeds early?
BBC say Dawson scored 2 own goals? Did DCL not grab the 4th then?
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:39:05
More than pleased with that.
Have high hopes for Broja... hopefully he'll live up to them.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:39:08
Shaun, seriously!? Wolves were the better side? They were shit.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:41:40
Broja looked sharp. Great result. Must win and we smashed it. 7 more of those needed.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:43:23
Great 3 points but bit of a weird game. Wolves were awful defensively. Does anyone agree that Branthwaite appeared a bit off. Couldn't sort his legs. Appeared to struggle a bit for pace. Certainly not his usual commanding self although he remained effective. Very encouraging cameo from Broja. Very discouraging 80 minutes from Doucoure. A big unit who runs a lot and passes backwards and little else.
But like Craig Revel Horwood; after the criticism you have to finish with the positives. A great win. A desperately needed win. A lot of excellent performances across the team. Now back it up with a real performance on Saturday and don't revert to type.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:43:47
Andy #29
They were but they played the better football. They are not bad going forward but agree, pretty poor in defence. Will take the win.
Posted 04/12/2024 at 21:45:09
dear old wolves, bless them. They just might make the difference come season end. It's a comfort to know they are in the division.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
© ToffeeWeb