Midlands | Wolves battle to Carabao Cup victory over Everton

Wolves 2 - 0 Everton

Goals in each half from Marshall Munetsi and Tolu Arokodare fired Premier League strugglers Wolves through to the fourth round.

Author | James L

Stadium | Molineux

Wolves corner

The victory offers some respite for Wolves, who defeated West Ham in the previous round, following the club’s worst league start in history that left them at the foot of the Premier League table.

They had lost their opening five top-flight games, including a 3-2 home defeat to Everton last month, but remain hopeful that manager Pereira’s experience will be key in reversing their fortunes.

A closer look at what happened

Midfielder Munetsi struck midway through the first half after Mark Travers parried Jhon Arias’ clever volley.

Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone had already tipped Michael Keane’s header over, while James Garner’s second-half free-kick hit the bar as Everton pushed for an equaliser.

Jack Grealish came off the bench and almost created a chance for Jake O’Brien, but striker Arokodare, a £23 million summer signing from Genk, added a neat second goal three minutes from time, marking his first for Wolves.

Wolves celebrate

A huge confidence boost for Wolves

The atmosphere at Molineux contrasted sharply between the start and the end of the match. Many supporters had stayed away in protest at the way owners Fosun are running the club, but by the final whistle they were chanting Pereira’s name following a much-needed victory.

Five consecutive Premier League defeats had left fans fearing the worst, though there remains quiet optimism within the club that Pereira will find the right formula in time.

That optimism was reinforced by the win over Everton, even with a side that differed greatly from the team that won at Molineux in the league last month.

Both of Wolves’ EFL Cup victories this season have come against Premier League opposition, offering encouragement as they continue their search for a first league win.

Everton miss another trophy chance

Fresh from their derby disappointment against Liverpool at the weekend, Everton have seen one route to a trophy disappear before the end of September.

David Moyes made seven changes, but the underwhelming Thierno Barry failed to seize his opportunity. The £27 million summer signing’s most notable contribution was a booking for petulantly kicking the ball into the advertising hoardings.

It has now been 30 years since Everton last lifted major silverware, the 1995 FA Cup, and this was another missed opportunity.