Three goals and three points, Wolves put in another performance to remember to leave Goodison Park with victory and solidify their position of seventh in the Premier League. Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez and a first Wolves goal for Leander Dendoncker put pay to Everton and secured a third successive Premier League win for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
It took Neves just seven minutes to open the scoring, converting from the spot after Matt Doherty had been fouled inside the area. Everton responded initially as Andres Gomes rifled into the top corner from range, but Wolves had the courage to come back and did it thanks to Jimenez’s header, which was courtesy of yet another Joao Moutinho assist.
The victory was wrapped up after the break when Wolves broke and Dendoncker lashed home his first for the club to send the travelling supporters into raptures. The win pushed Wolves on to 38 points for the season and was secured in style, with Everton rarely threatening once Dendoncker had put the cap on the latest afternoon to remember for Wolves.
Heading to Merseyside with six points from six, Wolves had nothing to fear and it showed at Goodison Park, as they edged ahead after just seven minutes. Typically strong running from Doherty saw him get the wrong side of Leighton Baines, who clipped the Irishman, forcing Lee Mason to point to the spot. Neves was ice cool from 12 yards, sending Jordan Pickford the wrong way to give his side an early lead.
The early advantage was just the tonic for Wolves, who watched their hosts strike the wall with a dangerously-positioned Gylfi Sigurddson free-kick. Then, minutes later it should have been two as Jimenez found space on the edge of the area, courtesy of Jota’s harrying, and played in Dendoncker, but the Belgian was momentarily denied his first Wolves goal by Pickford’s save.
The England stopper was matched by Portugal’s soon after, as Sigurddson fed Theo Walcott, only to see Rui Patricio race off his line and make himself big to thwart the wide man. Everton wouldn’t be denied for long though, as Gomes snuck forward and crashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner, giving his intentional team mate, Patricio no chance.
However, Wolves were to come roaring back before the half was out. Michael Keane’s ill-advised tug on Jota’s shirt presented Moutinho with a set piece opportunity he’s been making the most of lately. His fine delivery was thumped home by the head of Jimenez, who moved onto 11 for the season thanks to Moutinho’s fifth assist in three matches.
Half-time: Everton 1 Wolves 2
While the opening period ended on a high for Wolves, the start to the second was far from ideal, as Neves hobbled off a matter of minutes in, to be replaced by Romain Saiss. The second period naturally brought some Everton pressure too, but Wolves were able to soak it up and hit their hosts with the sucker punch.
Jonny nicked possession down the left and fed Jimenez, the Mexican slipped in Jota, who cut onto his right foot, but was blocked out, only for the ball to drop invitingly for Dendoncker, who lasted into the roof of the net for his first Wolves goal.
Wolves were feeling comfortable with a two-goal and it could have extended further when Jimenez’s fizzed cross was inches away from Helder Costa, who’d replaced Jota just minutes earlier. In truth, Everton did little to threaten the Wolves goal after the third, with Keane’s fierce drive blocked by a brave Ryan Bennett block.
With time running out, substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed Ademola Lookman’s cross straight at Patricio, as Everton’s hope continued to disappear. Seconds later Adama Traore came on for the closing stages in place of Jimenez, who was brilliant once again. However, there’d be no further action and Wolves were able to celebrate another big away win.
Full-time: Everton 1 Wolves 3
Everton: Pickford, Coleman (Calvert-Lewin 73), Keane, Zouma, Baines (Kenny 37), Davies, Gomes, Sigurddson, Walcott (Lookman 60), Richarlison, Tosun.
Unused subs: Stekelenburg, McCarthy, Schneiderlin, Bernard.
Wolves: Patricio, Doherty, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Jonny, Neves (Saiss 49), Moutinho, Dendoncker, Jota (Costa 77), Jimenez (Traore 89)
Unused subs: Ruddy, John, Gibbs-White, Cavaleiro.
