Six Things We Learned From Everton 1-1 Wolves: Fightback, Frustration, and Red Cards

1, Everton a different task compared to West Ham

Tonight’s game did not look anything like Saturday’s, especially in the first half. Wolves could not impose themselves at all.

Everton were a far more physical side than West Ham. With Michael Keane and James Tarkowski at centre half, they had two no-nonsense defenders who won their battles. Wolves did not manage a shot on target in the first half.

In weeks gone by, this team might have folded after conceding. Everton went in 1-0 up at half time, and Wolves had not laid a glove on them.

At times, the old habits crept in: play safe, do not concede, and hope something happens. The problem was that Wolves were staring at defeat.

2, Same team but could they repeat Saturday’s performance?

Rob Edwards stayed with the same starting eleven. The result mattered even more after Forest beat West Ham on Tuesday.

Wolves did not match Saturday’s energy in the first half. Everton controlled the tempo and kept Wolves pinned back. The urgency to get forward was not there, so Wolves defended more, conceded more fouls, and invited pressure.

Everton’s goal came from a free kick, and it felt like a direct result of that pressure.

3, Arokodare nullified by being marked by two players or still quality?

One of Wolves’ recent strengths has been the link-up play between Hwang and Arokodare. Tonight, Everton often marked Arokodare with two defenders. He still competed well and won the ball, but his impact was reduced.

Even so, his strength showed when he did bring the ball down. His supply and link play were still strong. He rarely wasted a lay-off, even with two minders around him.

4, Refereeing standards were up for questioning once again

Everton gave Wolves no time on the ball. Keane and Tarkowski were especially aggressive at both ends of the pitch. They defended hard, attacked set pieces hard, and made sure Wolves felt every challenge. Mosquera, Sa and Santiago Bueno took plenty while defending. Arokodare got the same treatment when Wolves tried to build attacks.

Despite that, Everton somehow avoided bookings in the first half.

Then Jose Sa was booked for not placing the ball on the correct spot for a free kick. He had just been fouled near the goal line by Keane while catching the ball in the air. Sa was booked, but Keane was not punished for the mid-air challenge.

Thomas Kirk’s idea of “letting it flow” was strange. Some heavy challenges went unpunished, yet two petty incidents brought bookings. Mosquera was booked for trying to get the ball back from Tim Iroegbunam after a foul.

It felt like Mr Kirk let too much go, and that helped create the chaos late on. Michael Keene, who had been skating on thin ice, was finally shown a straight red for pulling Arokodare’s hair while jumping for the ball. He looked shocked to be punished.

Then Jack Grealish collected two yellow cards in three minutes. The second came after he clapped Mr Kirk sarcastically because he had won a free kick.

Overall, Mr Kirk’s handling of the match felt too casual. In the end, Grealish’s reaction looked like contempt, and more importantly, a lack of respect for Mr Kirk’s authority.

5, The importance of new signings in January

This match exposed where Wolves lack options. Mateus Mane has given the team a lift, but the lack of a winger was obvious. Most of the crossing came from the wing backs.

Sadly, Tchatchoua repeatedly failed to beat the first man with his crosses. That role may need reviewing. Pedro Lima has returned from loan and could possibly compete for that spot. Hugo Bueno had more success with his delivery, but Wolves still need a true winger.

Arias was taken off at half time for Andre. He could not match his Saturday performance and had little impact in the first half.

Rob Edwards has been reported as saying he wants a new goalkeeper, centre half, midfielder and striker. Wolves need to address this quickly, given their current position.

6, 14 points from safety, is relegation a certainty?

Wolves’ next match is an FA Cup tie against League 2 side Shrewsbury. It should be a win, but nothing is guaranteed.

After that come Newcastle, Man City and Bournemouth. That run could easily bring zero points. There are 17 games left, and 14 after those three. Survival is still possible mathematically, but is it realistic?

With Wolves at the bottom, who wants to sign for them? And if relegation happens, how many players will push to leave? In modern football, players hold the power. When a player wants a move, attitudes can change. Matheus Cunha is a recent example. Being under contract does not carry the same weight as it used to.

I fear we will see a very different first team next season. Which league Wolves are in may become clearer after the Bournemouth game.

Whatever happens, it will not change my support for the club I have followed since the 70’s. A trip to Wembley would be special, even if it is only for an FA Cup Semi Final.

Final thought

If Wolves had played the first half the way they played the second, I might have been writing about another win. The second-half performance had passion and desire, and but for a brilliant save by Jordan Pickford in the last five minutes, I would have been.