3 into 1 disappointing but ok

Everton had an 89^th minute equaliser to thank for stopping Wolves getting a win they probably deserved after dominating the game for long periods on Saturday. This game more than any other so far this season did much to convince the Wolves faithful that we can still be playing in this division next season and the fact that management, players and supporters trooped out of Goodison Park disappointed to be going home with 1 point rather than 3 was a testament to how well they had played.

With Foley deemed still not ready to return and Mancienne returning ill from England Under 21 duty, Wolves recalled Jody Craddock and gave a debut to Ronald Zubar in defence and started with a line up of;

Hennessey

Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi

Kightly, Edwards, Henry, Halford

Ebanks Blake, Doyle

During the second half Maierhofer, Castillo and Jarvis replaced Kightly, Ebanks Blake and Halford.

The first half was dominated by Wolves territorially although Everton twice went close to scoring in a five minute spell. Hennessey, Zubar, Craddock and Berra were all excellent in Wolves best defensive performance of the season and the hard working midfield stopped Everton getting any fluency into their game and kept the crowd very quiet. At the other end of the field SEB went closest to scoring with a characteristic shot on the turn.

The expected improvement from Everton in the second half didn’t really happen despite them bringing another striker, Yakubu, on to replace right back Hibbert. Saha looked Everton’s best player but the Wolves defense looked solid. The Wolves midfield were stopping Everton playing but were lacking the creativity to open up the home defense. But Ebanks Blake went even closer with another shot on the turn, and then Wolves went ahead in the 74^th minute. A long ball through the middle saw SEB challenge for a ball in the air with the central defender. Both missed the ball and Doyle ran in behind them to slot the ball into the net.

Everton stepped up the urgency but Wolves looked up to retaining their lead until a low cross from the left saw the Russian winger of Everton lose Elokobi on the far post and he slotted in the equaliser. Plenty of action in the 4 minutes of injury time as the home crowd finally came alive. Maierhofer had made a good impact for Wolves as a sub but he had been booked for a late tackle and then after he was harshly judged to have blocked Everton keeper Howards attempt to clear the ball, the big Austrian was sent off. Howard, despite retaliating by felling Maierhofer with a punch to the back of the head was allowed to remain on the field. Despite this setback it was Wolves who came closest to a third goal with Doyle’s shot blocked by Howard.

So a lot to be encouraged about as Wolves deserved at least 1 point. Good defensive performance with a fine debut from Zubar, Craddock again showing he is invaluable, and Hennessey developing into a top keeper. When SEB is fully match fit the partnership of him and Doyle will be a good one.

Next Saturday sees Villa come to Molineux. They will be buoyed by beating Chelsea at the weekend but they will meet a Wolves team that will be ready for the occasion and a raucous West Midlands derby is in prospect.

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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