Toffees bite off more than they can chew
WOLVES INCREASE THE MISERY FOR BENITEZ
EVERTON fans’ patience with Rafa Benitez is getting more and more strained with every defeat.
Another embarrassing drubbing, after their 5-2 thumping by Watford, was on the cards for the visitors when they trailed 2-0 and were booed off at the break.
Halloween may have been on Sunday, but this was another horror show from the side managed by the former Liverpool boss.
Max Kilman headed the opener and Raul Jimenez also netted.
Alex Iwobi halved the deficit in the 66th minute but Wolves prevailed to climb to seventh.
Although an improved second-half display did spare Everton’s blushes, nothing could hide the fact it was their third defeat in a row.
The hosts almost struck in the 10th minute when Ruben Neves had a fierce volley saved from a corner.
Jordan Pickford made a fine save but the rebound fell for nicely for Conor Coady, who was unable to turn it in. Pickford, watched by England manager Gareth Southgate, made another excellent early save to tip over Francisco Trincao’s curler from outside the box. Wolves thought they had broken the deadlock via Hwang Hee-Chan, but the South Korean’s effort was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside in the 15th minute.
Yet the hosts soon deservedly took the lead in the 28th minute when defender Kilman rose to head in his first goal for the club from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s corner.
It infuriated Benitez on the touchline as Kilman beat Andros Townsend, Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey to the ball.
Wolves extended their advantage when Jimenez latched on to Godfrey’s poor backpass to chip a sublime finish over the advancing Pickford in the 32nd minute.
Godfrey was at fault for the backpass but defender Mason Holgate did him no favours with his lack of alertness as Jimenez nipped in for his 50th goal for the club.
The Mexican is showing signs that his confidence and ability is back to his pre-injury levels after his horrific fractured skull a year ago.
Everton created little before the break with Gray dragging his effort wide and Holgate also blowing a chance as the visitors were booed off by their fans. Everton were out early for the second half and they were better – which was not difficult.
They almost profited from a shocking pass from goalkeeper Jose Sa straight to the fit-again Richarlison but Sa redeemed himself.
The visitors pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Iwobi rifled in a shot after Godfrey’s shot was blocked.
Saa saved from substitute Anthony Gordon’s header late on but Benitez will need more from his side to convince fans.
WOLVES (3-4-2-1): Sa 7; Kilman 8, Coady 8, Saiss 7; Semedo 7, Neves 7, Moutinho 7, Ait-Nouri 7; Hee-Chan 7 (Silva 90), Trincao 7 (Podence 79); Jimenez 8 (Dendoncker 90). Goals: Kilman 28, Jimenez 32.
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford 7; Coleman 6, Keane 6, Holgate 5, Godfrey 6; Allan 5, Gbamin 4 (Delph 46, 6); Townsend 6, Gray 7 (Rondon 90), Iwobi 7 (Gordon 78); Richarlison 6. Goal: Iwobi 66.