Everton 1 (Alcaraz 80) Wolves 0
Wolves exited the Carabao Cup at the third round stage, after being narrowly beaten by a late Charly Alcaraz strike for Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Old Gold more than held their own against the Toffees and came close through Adam Armstrong, but Joao Virginia, who’d been excellent on his debut, was beaten with ten minutes left as Wolves dropped out of the competition.
Despite making nine changes on Merseyside, Wolves impressed during the first 45 and frustrated their hosts. Old Gold chances were rare, with Raul Jimenez’s early free-kick the closest call, before the Mexican was later withdrawn due to injury – a concerning sight with the Black Country derby approaching.
Everton grew into the contest and much of the Hill Dickinson Stadium thought they’d taken the lead on 29 minutes when Jake O’Brien headed into the outside netting, meanwhile Wolves’ defenders were brave to deny Hayden Hackney, likewise Virginia at the feet of Tierno Barry.
The goalkeeper, making his Wolves debut at his former club, then lodged his Save of the Season nomination which he turned Barry’s close-range header over the bar with a stunning, one-handed save in stoppage time.
Half-time | Everton 0-0 Wolves
The first big chance of the second period belonged to Wolves and was created thanks to the tenacity of Sean Neave, who brushed off Vitalii Mykolenko and slipped in Armstrong, but his effort was saved by a strong leg from Jordan Pickford.
Virginia then produced a strong save with his feet soon after to deny Brennan Johnson, having already frustrated James Garner.
Wolves’ resolve was finally beaten with ten minutes remaining when Tyler Dibling fed Alcaraz and once his turn took him past Toti, the finish was simple as he curled past a helpless Virginia.
The Old Gold tried to rally once again and Tommy Doyle tested Pickford late on, but they couldn’t force penalties and their Carabao Cup campaign ended on Merseyside.
Full-time | Everton 1-0 Wolves
Everton | Pickford, Maitland-Niles, O’Brien, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Hackney (Alcaraz 77), Dewsbury-Hall, Dibling, Grealish (George 77), Barry (Johnson 58).
Unused subs | Travers, King, Brathwaite, Tarkowski, Graham, Olayiwola.
Wolves | Virginia, Tchatchoua (Trippier 74), Toti, Krejci (Djiga 45), Konan, Boubacar, James (Bellegarde 63), Doyle, Chirewa (Bertrand 74), Neave, Jimenez (Armstrong 38).
Unused subs | Ruddy, Munetsi, Mane.
