Jack Grealish of Everton (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish of Everton (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Back starting games for Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, it wasn't long before Jack Grealish was taken out deep inside the Wolves half. Some wondered if this moment would ever come following the summer saga involving him, the Blues and Manchester City.
It was long believed that Grealish would return to Everton on loan following a successful spell with the club last season. He also always wanted to return, but when he started appearing for City at the start of August, you began to wonder whether he would remain at the Etihad.
Then came a curveball from Sunderland, who expressed an interest in signing the England international. But here he was on Wednesday night, starting again for the Blues after two appearances off the bench following his deadline day return.
And make no mistake about it, with Iliman Ndiaye now playing for City, no-one excites the Everton crowd quite like Grealish does.
READ MORE: How Everton fans reacted to Tyler Dibling announcement said it all after big Blues breakthrough
Everton player ratings vs Wolves as matchwinner Charly Alcaraz and three starters 7/10
Time and time again he had Blues supporters either out of their seats or on the edge of them during the 77 minutes he played here.
He looked to make things happen and was a constant threat, which is just as well, because with Ndiaye gone he’s going to have to make things happen.
Last season he scored and claimed six assists in 22 appearances in all competitions before his season was curtailed in January due to an injury.
That isn’t a bad return, but with David Moyes having so few creative and forward options between now and January at least, Grealish is going to have to step things up a notch.
He has already become a favourite with supporters, but if he plays a major role in helping the Blues to League Cup glory this season, bringing an end to that long wait, then he will be a club legend.
The start of another redemption story
Much has been written about the lack of attacking options available to Moyes following a disastrous end to the transfer window.
And the main redemption story from this game involved Tyler Dibling finally showing glimpses of what he can offer.
Fittingly, Dibling provided the assist for his side's winning goal, which secured the Blues a fourth-round tie against Newcastle United at home.
But what shouldn't be forgotten is that it was Charly Alcaraz who finished past Joao Virginia in the Wolves goal.
It was a fine finish and the Argentine showed the composure his team-mate Thierno Barry had been lacking all night.
Alcaraz has found game-time hard to come by so far this season, even though Moyes only has one recognised centre-forward in Barry.
Now this isn’t to say that Alcaraz could be the answer to all Everton’s problems in front of goal as he showed at times last season that he can frustrate.
But the reality is that he showed the composure required to finally find a way past Virginia.
It is probably unlikely that he has done enough to start against Ipswich Town on Saturday, but he certainly made the right impact in the 16 minutes he featured.
And while this could be the start Dibling's redemption story, it could also be the start of Alcaraz playing himself back into contention.
An interesting week coming up for Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite found himself in an unfamiliar position on Wednesday night as he was named on the bench for this cup tie.
Moyes opted to leave the centre-back out of his squad completely for the game against Preston North End in the previous round, but here he found himself among the substitutes.
Branthwaite endured a miserable season of hamstring problems in 2025/26, playing just 10 Premier League matches.
That campaign followed issues at the end of the previous one, with the sight of the defender being stretchered off against Liverpool in April leading to fears over his long-term durability.
Moyes dismissed those fears over the weekend, saying: "With Jarrad there was a programme we worked to, where we didn't play him. This is a difficult week with three games.
"At the moment, we've chosen not to play him at the weekend and in the midweek. But we're over that now, we think we're over that now.
"We think we've given him enough breaking-in time and we think we can be able to do that. But I think just because of Jarrad's injuries, we're always trying to manage him as best we can."
However, the Scot's team selection here hinted that he might just want to hold his star man back from playing three games a week until at least after the international break.
But it is set to be a big end to the week for the 24-year-old, with Thomas Tuchel naming his latest England squad for the upcoming international matches on Friday.
Given Branthwaite’s impressive start to the season, we can't forget he was outstanding against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, he is a player who should be in Tuchel’s thinking, especially given the injuries to John Stones and Dan Burn.
And it is easy to understand why Branthwaite would want to be called up, especially since this is the start of England’s journey to Euro 2028.
However, for Everton's sake, you can’t help but think that the defender staying home to rest and recover from the start of the season during the international break could be the best thing for all parties.
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