Everton extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight matches, the longest for the club since February 2017 following a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium. Jack Harrison grabbed his first goal of the season but the Blues saw Marshall Munetsi score at the other end as both sides settled for a point.
Following a third draw in succession, Everton climbed up to 14th in the table and are on 33 points - level with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and West Ham but all three sides will be in action later. However, the Blues have a better goal difference compared to the latter two.
Everton surged ahead at the 33rd-minute mark when Harrison trapped the ball on the left-hand side following a pass from Jesper Lindstrom, drove ahead and his shot took a couple of deflections before finding its way into the back of the net. This was the winger’s first goal in 39 appearances but joy was short-lived for the Blues.
The hosts found an immediate response as Munetsi was played through in behind the defence by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and the Zimbabwe international beat Jordan Pickford with his first touch to level proceedings.
The second half was a rather subdued affair compared to the extravaganza of the first 45 minutes. Bar the few odd chances mostly created through Carlos Alcaraz coming off the bench, both sides seemed content with a point and the match fizzled out to a draw.
Everton will now turn their sights toward facing West Ham at home next weekend.
Here are the player ratings from the 1-1 draw at Molineux:
Jordan Pickford - 6
Pickford was called into action early on when he had to parry away Munetsi’s far post header from a corner after the Zimbabwean was left completely unmarked. There’s not a whole lot Pickford could’ve done to avoid the goal after he was left exposed by the defence. Distribution was clean throughout the game.
Jake O’Brien - 6
He showed plenty of intensity to constantly move up and down the pitch but was pushed back to focus on his defensive duties as the game crept on. Was wasteful with the ball on a few occasions.
James Tarkowski - 8
Used his giant frame well and plucked everything out of the air. Tarkowski led the defence with composure and also made vital blocks, including keeping out Rayan Ait-Nouri’s shot. Also won the header from a possession turnover that eventually led to Harrison’s goal.
Jarrad Branthwaite - 5
Branthwaite was put in a tough spot as he struggled to sort his feet out and failed to cover Munetsi’s run in behind him that led to the Wolves equaliser. Besides the error, he read the game well and won a majority of his defensive duels.
Vitaliy Mykolenko - 6
Mykolenko also failed to close the space that allowed Munetsi’s run in behind the defence and should’ve shown greater awareness in that situation. Defended well when called upon but wasn’t too involved in the game.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - 8
Was once again the fulcrum for the Everton side and performed a tidy task in the engine room. Won seven tackles and kept things ticking with intensity.
James Garner - 6
While industrious in the middle of the park, Garner failed to influence the game much on either end. Didn’t offer a lot of defensive resilience and set-piece deliveries were not up to the mark either.
Jesper Lindstrom - 7
Lindstrom picked up his first Premier League assist of the season when he lifted his head up to find Harrison in acres of space on the left flank. Struggled to get involved in the second half and was subbed off for Iroegbunam after 63 minutes.
Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6
Doucoure could’ve put Everton ahead just after 10 minutes when he found the ball in the box, spun around Doherty and fired a left-footed shot but it blocked by the defence. Recalled into the side after missing the Brentford match due to the birth of his son, Doucoure led the press well but the game passed him by on several occasions and was taken off after half-time.
Jack Harrison - 8
Harrison finally grabbed his first goal of the season for the Blues with a strong shot that took a couple of deflections before entering the goal. It was one of his brightest displays in a while as his direct runs and exchanges caused headaches for the opposition defence.
Beto - 5
Beto was guilty of missing a couple of chances in this game as well. While none as straightforward as the ones against Brentford, he failed to stretch his body from a corner routine in the first half. Was played through by Alcaraz in the second half and despite opening his body up a la Thierry Henry, his shot lacked conviction and was saved by Jose Sa.
Subs
Carlos Alcaraz (subbed on for Doucoure) - 7
David Moyes perhaps missed a trick by not starting Alcaraz after his impressive run in recent weeks. Made a lively cameo and was full of running to capitalise on tired legs in the second half. Created a chance for Beto after leading a strong counter attack and also drew a save off Sa after a lovely dummy to fool his markers inside the box.
Tim Iroegbunam (subbed on for Lindstrom) - 6
Made a reckless foul on Doherty that saw him get on the referee’s book and had little impact on the game besides that.
Ashley Young (subbed on for Garner) - N/A
Came on for the final few minutes.
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