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Wolves 2-2 Everton: Match Review

By Matt Townsend

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers moves away from Idrissa Gueye during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on August 11, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers moves away from Idrissa Gueye during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton FC at Molineux on August 11, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /
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After a long, hot summer, a World Cup that saw England unexpectedly reach the last four and a frantic deadline day of signings, Everton played their first game of the new Premier League season yesterday.

Everton started the campaign with a game at Wolverhampton Wanderers and gained a point after a 2-2 draw.

Wolves have returned to the top flight after a superb campaign winning the Championship last season.

They’ve also spent heavily in the transfer window to strengthen and secure their new Premier League status.

So this game represented a potentially stern test for the Blues, especially as these promoted teams often start the season well anyway.

Now to the game.

Everton started reasonably well and Richarlison in particular looked sharp and committed, winning balls and running with purpose at the Wolves defence.

The Blues’ opponents in turn were dangerous whenever they broke and often threatened to expose the lack of pace in the heart of the Everton defence.

Goals seemed certain and it was the Blues who got the opener. After a set-piece ball in from Baines, who had a fine game, Richarlison ended up poking the ball into the net for his first Everton goal.

Despite this lead Wolves were still very much in the game and looked dangerous while Everton had a tendency to drop back and defend deeply.

Then with just a few minutes until half-time a ball was played across the Everton defence, which at first seemed to present little threat. But Phil Jagielka’s touch let him down and as he lunged to recover and win the ball, he went through the Wolves player Jota.

Referee Craig Pawson straight away reached for a red card and Jagielka was off. There seemed evidence Jagielka had got the ball but it didn’t matter to Pawson and the Blues were down to ten men.

Then from the ensuring free-kick Ruben Neves fired home into the top right hand corner, 1-1. There is an argument that Jordan Pickford should have been further to his right but it was a very good free-kick regardless.

Perhaps fortunately half-time came very soon after this giving Everton chance to re-group. As the second half started and with the rain now coming down hard, the Blues had to see out a sustained spell of pressure from the home team.

But the Toffees looked a threat on the counter attack and from one such break, Richarlison got the ball, found the space to run at the Wolves defence and cut inside before shooting superbly past Rui Patricio.

So Everton were back in the lead and the question was could they hold out a man down?

In the end the answer was no. Wolves were having lots of joy spreading the ball out wide and putting in plenty of crosses. Eventually one of these wasn’t dealt with and Raul Jimenez nodded it in.

Despite this setback Everton still had several late chances to win it.  In particular one moment when Seamus Coleman broke on the right and running a the Wolves left side fired a ball across goal, which substitute Omar Niasse just couldn’t reach.

A point then in the Blues opening match of the new season.

This was a solid performance overall from Everton. Given that the team were still lacking all four of the deadline day signings, (which will surely strengthen the Blues especially at the back), and Richarlison was making his debut, there were plenty of positives to take back to the Northwest.

Apart from the Brazilian’s excellent performance, other players who impressed were Baines, Coleman and Idrissa Gueye.

Baines had an excellent match, defending strongly, offering a really important outlet on the left and putting some good balls into the box. On the other flank Coleman too was robust in defence and running with energy and purpose.

Gueye had another fine game in midfield, working very hard, winning the ball and always making himself available to receive it while rarely losing possession.

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Baines in particular seemed to be motivated to produce his best in response to the arrival of Lucas Digne. This sort of competition can only be good for the team overall.

On the negative side, Keane and Jagielka struggled to handle the pace and movement of the Wolves attackers and Everton once more let in a goal from a cross into the box, something they have to improve on. Hopefully Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma will help there.

In addition Everton sometimes lost possession cheaply and the passing was not always as certain or as accurate as it should be.

But credit should also go to Wolves who look a strong, physical side with pace, movement and creativity. I think they might surprise a few teams this season, especially at Molineux  and they should have no trouble making mid-table.

So plenty of room for improvement for the Blues, but overall a decent enough performance and evidence that Marco Silva is having a noticeable and positive impact on the team.