Wolves continue impressive form with a win over lacklustre Everton

Wolves extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-1 victory over Everton at Molineux.

First half goals from Max Kilman and Raul Jimenez was enough to give Bruno Lage’s side the three points, despite Alex Iwobi halving the deficit midway through the second half.

Wolves’ attacking style and high-pressing caused Everton issues from the start and they were unfortunate not to take the lead within 15 minutes.

Seamus Coleman’s headed clearance from a corner fell to Ruben Neves on the edge of the box whose first-time volley forced Jordan Pickford into a fine save before he reacted well to deny Conor Coady’s follow-up effort.

The Everton shot-stopper was called into action two minutes later when he was needed to tip Francisco Trincao’s left-footed curling shot over the bar.

Wolves did have the ball in the back of the net in the 16th minute, however, Hwang Hee-Chan was denied a fifth goal of the season by VAR.

The South Korean found space inside the box and despite seeing his first effort blocked by Mason Holgate, his second strike went through Ben Godfrey’s legs and into the bottom corner. However, after a review, the goal was disallowed as a result of the RB Leipzig loanee being ever-so-slightly offside.

Having only lost once in their opening seven league matches, Rafa Benitez’s side had lost twice back to back on home soil to West Ham United and Watford.

Everton had struggled to defend crosses into the box in recent weeks, and it came as no surprise when Wolves took the lead from a set-piece after 28 minutes.

A corner from Rayan Aït-Nouri was met powerfully by Kilman who powered his header past Pickford to score his first goal for the club.

From the restart, Wolves immediately put Everton under pressure and their high-press forced Godfrey into blindly passing the ball into the path of Jimenez who calmly dinked the ball over Pickford to double Wolves’ lead in the 32nd minute.

The Mexican’s goal ensured he continued his 100% record of scoring against Everton as he scored his fifth goal in as many games.

Everton showed signs of improvement towards the end of the half, however, they failed to convert two golden opportunities to the disappointment of their manager post-match.

?️ "It's a question of character and we showed this in the second half."

Hear from Rafa Benitez after #EFC lose a third consecutive game ?

? Watch #MNF live on Sky Sports Premier League pic.twitter.com/d2Tz3p2Ter

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 1, 2021

A sliced clearance in Wolves’ midfield spun into the path of Demarai Gray but the summer signing wasted his chance as he dragged his effort wide of the target.

Andros Townsend’s free-kick in injury-time was flicked into the path of Mason Holgate at the back post but the centre-back also missed a golden opportunity as he lifted his effort over the bar.

Jean-Phillipe Gbamin started his first league match since August 2019, but after a difficult first half, he was replaced at the interval by the returning Fabian Delph.

Everton started the second half brightly and they almost halved the deficit within three minutes when Coady diverted Townsend’s cross out for a corner.

Richarlison returned to the starting lineup for the first time in seven matches, and his perseverance in closing down Sa almost forced the goalkeeping into making a costly error.

His attempted clearance ricocheted off the Brazilian, however, Sa reacted well to parry the ball out the path of Richarlison who was sliding in.

Despite Everton’s early second half pressure, it was the hosts who should have scored the third goal on the hour mark. Nelson Semedo’s ball fell perfectly onto the head of Jimenez but the striker’s effort ricocheted off the post.

A third goal arrived shortly after when Everton finally converted one of their shots on goal. A hit and hope shot from Godfrey deflected off Michael Keane and into the path of Iwobi who fired past Sa to halve the deficit in the 66th minute.

24 – Alex Iwobi has scored his first goal in 24 Premier League appearances, with his previous strike coming in this exact fixture at Wolves in January last season. Iwobi has netted three times versus Wolves in the Premier League, more than against any other opponent. Lifeline.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2021

Benitez’s side pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and the introduction of Anthony Gordon saw Aït-Nouri being asked questions defensively.

The Liverpool-born winger almost levelled the game with four minutes remaining, however, a strong hand from Sa denied his near-post header.

Ultimately, Benitez’s side fell to a third consecutive defeat for the first time since October/November 2020 as they drop down to 10th in the Premier League For Wolves, their gradual improvement sees them leapfrog Everton into seventh, only four points off the Champions League places.

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