KEANE KEEPS CARLO ON A HIGH
Toffees defender scores stunning late header as Ancelotti’s men refuse to give up on title push
JUST when Everton needed a striker to show them the way, up popped defender Michael Keane with a 77th- minute header to take the Blues into the top four.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti has been wringing his hands since star man Dominic Calvert- Lewin pulled up with a hamstring injury.
But big defender Keane shunted his side into fourth place with a header worthy of winning any game.
Ancelotti, probably still reeling at the shock of Alex Iwobi finding the net early on, knows he has a problem up front with Calvert- Lewin out.
But centre- half Keane lift ed his spirits, rising superbly at the far post to meet a cross from Andre Gomes and find the far corner of the net.
That makes it five wins in six for Everton, who have recovered superbly from their November blip.
Manager Ancelotti has been keen to dampen aspirations but, in this topsyturvy season, the Blues have to be in the mix no matter what the gaffer says.
It was Iwobi who lit the touchpaper on what turned out to be a cracking, end- to- end first half with a rare goal after just six minutes.
The Nigerian i nternational has hardly been prolific since his £ 34million switch from Arsenal 18 months ago. In fact you wouldn’t need all the f ingers of one hand to count the number of times he’s hit the net. But with 14- goal top scorer Calvert- Lewin sidelined, Iwobi picked the ideal time to rediscover his touch with his first League goal of the season.
Both sides were looking for someone to step up to the plate with Everton missing their main man and Wolves having picked up only one win in their last seven league games since top scorer Raul Jimenez fractured his skull against Arsenal.
The Mexican watched on from the stands with the six- inch scar on the side of his head clearly visible.
Iwobi started the move with a ball to James Rodriguez, who played it out to Lucas Digne on the left. When the Frenchman cut it back, there was the ex- Arsenal star to f ire a f irst- time right- foot shot low into the net from eight yards.
But the lead didn’t last long, with Wolves hitting back in the 14th minute after forcing a corner out on the left. Pedro Neto swung the ball in and, when Yerry Mina could only head out to the far side of the box, Rayan AitNouri seized on it and cut to the byline before firing it to Ruben Neves.
Neves made no mistake, taking the ball on the volley six yards out and rif ling it into the bottom corner with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford rooted to the spot.
Three minutes later Wolves really should have taken the lead when Fabio Silva’s shot on the turn from 12 yards was well saved low down by the England keeper.
Midway through the half, Iwobi was left holding his head in his hands in frustration when he failed to cash in from eight yards after a neat one- two with playmaker James.
This was a thoroughly professional performance from buoyant Everton, who are at home to Leicester and f loundering Newcastle in their next two Premier League fixtures.
Whisper it, but on Merseyside Blue expectations are really soaring.