It had been feast or famine in this fixture over the past 12 months for Everton. Wolves had lost just one of their last seven Premier League home games against Everton, winning this fixture 3-0 last season but this was turned on its head earlier this season. Everton’s 4-0 win in December ended a six-game winless run against Wolves. Today, the Toffees had the chance to complete a Premier League double for only the second time against Wolves.
Before the team’s break in the UAE, the late goal by Jake O’Brien continued Everton‘s impressive run. A trip to the Midlands was another opportunity to pick up valuable points to increase the gap with the relegation teams and put pressure on the mid table teams above us.
Only one change and it was not a surprise that Abdoulaye Doucoure returned to the starting lineup in place of Charly Alcaraz with no other changes as Moyes stuck with his winning formula. It was nice to see Seamus Coleman back on the bench after overcoming his most recent injury.
The big change for Wolves was the imposed loss of Matheus Cunha who is starting his ban following his red mist moment....for a second time this season. Jose Sa returned in goal as one of five changes made by Vitor Pereira from the last game. Emmanuel Agbadou returned to the squad as expected and went straight into the starting line-up.
It was a feisty start to the match as Beto started on the front foot but the big Portuguese forward could not take advantage. Referee Stuart Attwell was keeping a close eye on things as the teams played out a cagey start to the match.
Everton’s first real chance fell to Doucoure who took the ball down well but his shot was blocked by Agbadou. The resulting corner saw Everton crowd Jose Sa and when Branthwaite got his head on it, somehow the ball went over the bar. A second corner was taken short and when Lindstrom delivered the ball low into the six yard box, Beto could not get his boot to it and the chance went begging.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Wolves finally got the ball forward and it was Ait-Nouri driving forward combined with Tarkowski and Branthwaite backing off that allowed the full back to get his shot off but it was deflected wide. The corner was then delivered by Ait-Nourri and somehow Pickford got to the header and got his leg on it.
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A long ball from Tarkowski found O’Brien but his cross was blocked by Agbadou. The game was between two teams who rarely control the ball and the first thirty minutes of play was indicative of this fact. Jake O’Brien went for a ball with Ait-Nouri and a VAR check cleared him of any wrongdoing.
A goal kick from Wolves was intercepted by Tarkowski who put it forward to Lindstrom who then delivered a raking pass to Jack Harrison who then laced it into the far corner via a slight deflection and put the Blues ahead. David Moyes pumped his fists and Vitor Perreira was apoplectic. Travelling Evertonians danced and “Spirit of the Blues” broke out with passion.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Wolves tried to respond with Bellegarde driving forward and his shot went by a diving Pickford but it also went by the post. Moments later, Marshall Munetsi snuck in at the back post for a second time but his header was blocked.
Seconds later, Marshall Munetsi tied the game at one when a beautiful pass delivered by Ait-Nourri caused Branthwaite to get his legs in a knot which allowed Munetsi to put the ball past a diving Pickford.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Wolves were pumped and pushed for more but Everton did a good job of keeping them at bay as one minute of added time was announced but nothing transpired and the half time arrived with the teams locked at one.
Data from FotMob
Menetsi was withdrawn for Wolves with Sarabia coming on in his place. An early corner for Everton saw Wolves set up in the zonal marking which held firm but gave Everton an early free kick. Garner and Harrison lined it up and there was a shout for a Wolves handball when Doucoure delivered his strike but VAR was not interested.
Sarabia was given a free kick and he delivered a ball to the near post which saw Pickford scrambling to thankfully watch the ball go wide. A quick break from Everton saw Andre given a yellow card by Attwell for his in the face challenge on the referee!
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
A nice move by Everton started on the right and moved to the left which ended up with Gueye taking a shot which went well over the bar. Moyes had seen enough and both Iroegbunam and Alcaraz were readied to enter the fray. Wolves prevented that by keeping the ball in the Everton end.
Strand Larsen was given a yellow card for a challenge on Harrison to which Tarkowski took exception. The Everton changes were made with Lindstrom and Doucoure coming out of the match. Idrissa Gueye was walking a tightrope as he gave away another free kick which the Molineux fans did not like.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton - Premier League - Molineux Stadium Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images
The final twenty minutes arrived with both teams seemingly interested in not losing the game. The teams took turns pushing forward but neither team was really willing to make that final pass to break the deadlock.
Bellegarde was then on the floor in the box after another challenge by Gueye but neither Attwell or VAR were interested. Wolves started to push and Pickford had to be sharp to get down to a Strand Larsen shot.
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Seconds later, Alcaraz was on his bike and was able to pass to Beto who opened his body and tried to get the ball to the opposite corner by Sa read the play and made the save. Strand Larsen was then replaced by Hwang by Wolves.
Wolves were panicking and cleared the ball for a corner which was delivered by Garner but Everton could not make more of the chance. Doherty was then taken down by Iroegbunam which was followed by a yellow card.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Bellegarde was removed with Guedes coming on. Everton were immediately on the front foot and Alcaraz eventually forced a save from Sa. The Argentinian was then given a yellow card for delayin the restart much to his chagrin.
Three minutes of additional time were announced as the teams nervously pressed forward. Ashley Young was brought on for Garner. The final moments faded away and as the final whistle blew, David Moyes was happy to get out and applaud the travelling fans. The draw puts Everton into 14th place, tied with Spurs in 13th and 16 points clear of the relegation zone. Let’s agree, no more reference to the relegation zone no matter what Moyes says!
Everton Man of the Match: In a game of not many chances, Idrissa Gueye was omnipresent in the middle and prevented Wolves from making any meaningful forays forward. He harried and broke up plays throughout the match as he did just enough to make the tackle and not get into the referee’s book. If he could get a shot on net just once this season I would love him even more!
Check out his defensive data from the match!
Data from FotMob
No matter what I personally think about new father Abdoulaye Doucoure, the numbers don’t lie. Everton have triumphed in just one of their 23 Premier League matches without Abdoulaye Doucoure since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, but have won 33.8% of games when he has been involved. However, today, the energy was not there but the good run for the team continued. He slowed down today and Charly Alcaraz was chomping at the bit to play every game. When Alcaraz came on the attacking interest increased. Let’s let Doucoure stay up at night with his new baby and bring Alcaraz in for the West Ham match.
James Tarkowski made his 104th consecutive appearance in the Premier League for Everton today which extends a club record for any outfield player. Wolves barely laid a glove on the Everton goal. His signing was muted three years ago but his continuing contribution is so important alongside Branthwaite.
We should have taken three points today. Beto had a couple of chances that were not taken and these are the games we need to be more clinical moving forward. Wolves were there for the taking but we could not take advantage. Today, Beto could not hold up the ball and was making some questionable runs. It was great to see Harrison get off the mark and the assist from Lindstrom breaks his duck as well.