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Everton 3-2 Wolves | Talking Points

Everton claimed all three points in a raucous 3-2 victory over Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves who continue their poor start to the 2019/20 Premier League season.

Everton opened the scoring after five minutes as Conor Coady and Rui Patricio’s mix up at the back saw Richarlison stride onto Patricio’s misplaced pass and find the back of the net with conviction.

Their lead didn’t last long however as Romain Saiss earned his first goal for Wolves. He found himself on the end of a tap in after Adama Traoré, who beat Lucas Digne for pace, had his cross blocked into the path of Saiss.

The scores did not remain level for long as Everton’s new boy Alex Iwobi opened his Premier League account with the Toffees after 12 minutes as his movement found him on the end of an excellent cross from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

After a frantic start to the game, the score remained at 2-1 until the 74th minute when Ryan Bennet’s long throw was flicked on by Willy Boly towards the back post where Raul Jimenez beat Digne to the ball to head past Jordan Pickford.

The game looked as if it might end with the teams sharing the points but Everton managed to find another gear and end the game as well as they started it. Much like earlier in the week against Lincoln in the league cup, Digne produced another spectacular cross that found Richarlison’s head as the Brazilian leapt over Boly and nodded the ball out of the reach of Patricio.

Marco Silva’s side finished the game the stronger of the two teams as Richarlison came close to taking the match ball home and Rui Patricio had to deny Yerry Mina from a corner with a fantastic save. Wolves’ frustration with their performances so far this season showed late in the game as Boly was sent off in the last minute of the play. A cynical block sent Richarlison crashing to the ground and earned Boly his second yellow of the game.

Wolves now join Watford as the only two teams not to win a game so far this season while Everton’s 3-2 victory moved them to seven points and keep themselves close to the early pacesetters.

Everton’s new-look attack looks good

Silva played both his new signings against Wolves after they made their full debuts against Lincoln earlier in the week. Moise Kean was the quietest of the forwards but provided pace and glimpses of what he can offer Everton.

Iwobi’s strike is his second in an Everton shirt and he will be ecstatic about his goal. What was perhaps most impressive was that the new front line of Kean, Richarlison, Sigurdsson and Iwobi looking to have gelled already.

Their effectiveness was highlighted by the three goals scored today after they had only scored once in their first three games. If they continue like that they will keep Everton’s fans very happy as they chase Europa League qualification.

What’s wrong with Wolves?

Santo will not be happy with his team’s start. Three draws and a loss leave his side in the bottom five and perhaps they are falling victim to the gruelling fixture list that comes with finishing in seventh in the previous year. We saw it happen to Burnley but Wolves have gone a step further this year having qualified for the Europa League group stages. 

Having played a midweek game nearly every week and starting their competitive season in July, Wolves may be feeling the pace. It looked as if that was the case today as they struggled to deal with Everton’s quick start and strong finish. This is usually because a side is fatigued and are not quite mentally focused for the full 90 minutes, and this was certainly on show at Goodison on Sunday. 

It may only get harder as they have drawn one of the more difficult groups in this season’s Europa League.

Everton slowly making Goodison a fortress

The Toffees have now won six on the bounce at home and while they surrendered their impressive defensive record conceding two today, fans will be happier with claiming all three points.

It will also feel good having beaten the team that pipped them to seventh place last season as they look to be the best of the rest. While it looks as if Leicester and Crystal Palace could be teams to be concerned about, Everton’s impressive record at home will help them in making sure they qualify for European football.

Richarlison shines in Man of the Match performance

For a player who looks permanently glum, Richarlison has a lot to smile about. Last seasons top goalscorer looks as if his form will continue netting twice against the Wanderers. 

What was more impressive was how involved he was. He was on the receiving end of numerous fouls attributed to Wolves slightly underhand tactics but the Brazilian persevered to net an impressive brace in front on a boisterous home crowd. 

At times last season when he was forced out of the game, he could become quickly frustrated with an example being the red card he received at Bournemouth. Today showed how he seemed to grow in confidence as he found the winner and his constant presence and attacking play was too much for Willy Boly to handle as he was shown red for his unnecessary foul at the death.

The fan’s favourite is constantly improving and today was him at his best. Fans will hope he continues to mature as the season goes on.

Up Next: 

The Premier League has its first international break and while Everton will enjoy the work they have put in so far, Wolves will be having to work hard on the training ground.

Everton visit Bournemouth whole Wolves host Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.

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