A double from Richarlison helped Everton secure a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers going into the first international break. Wolves thought they had done enough to earn a point when Raul Jimenez headed in from close range 12 minutes from the end. But Richarlison, who scored a header midweek, showed his aerial prowess again minutes later to give Everton the win.
Seamus Coleman replaced Djibril Sidibé in the only change from the midweek win over Lincoln City, meaning Alex Iwobi, Fabian Delph and Moise Kean all made their first league starts for the club.
Meanwhile Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo made four changes to the side that defeated Torino 2-1 on Thursday night, with Ryan Bennett, Ruben Vinagre, Ruben Neves and Patrick Cutrone all making it into the starting XI.
Everton started the game brilliantly and took the lead in the fourth minute after a mix up in the Wolves defence. Andre Gomes’ pass for Kean was intercepted by former Liverpool man Conor Coady, then a miss communication from the Wolves captain and keeper Rui Patrício allowed Richarlison to pounce and lash home his first of the game.
Wolves hit back almost immediately after fantastic work from Adama Traore down Wolves’ right side. Lucas Digne thought he had the pacey wide man under control, but the Spaniard used his pace and power to brush past Digne into the area. He played the ball across the six-yard box for Romain Saiss to tap in after Coleman failed to clear. This being the first goal Everton had conceded at Goodison Park since Gabriel Jesus scored in the 97th minute in February.
Everton retook the lead minutes later this time through Alex Iwobi, getting his second goal of the week.
Gylfi Sigurdsson who drifted out onto the right-wing whipped in a delightful ball straight onto the head of Iwobi, who couldn’t miss from the centre of the goal.
Wolves almost pegged back Everton again, this time it was Cutrone, but Jordan Pickford produced a fine save to keep his side ahead.
After a fast start to the game, both teams tried to find space to create openings however it wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that we had the fourth goal of the game. Wolves, whose only real chances of the game came from long throws, paid off when Raul Jimenez levelled from close range.
Ryan Bennett’s long throw caused havoc in the Everton area, he found his fellow defender Willy Boly who flicked it onto the back post to Jimenez who got ahead of Digne taking a boot to the head.
Everton who had been in control of the game once again found themselves level, but like in first half, it wasn’t for long.
Bernard, who replaced Alex Iwobi late in the second half, linked up with Digne down the left side, with the Frenchman crossing in from the byline. His ball was something attackers dream about, and up popped Richarlison who beat Boly to send the Gwladys Street into raptures.
Richarlison almost got his hat-trick a minute later, but his left-footed effort from the edge of the box was tipped away by Rui Patrício. The Portuguese shot-stopper was again tested moments later this time denying Yerry Mina as he rose highest from an Everton corner.
In the final moments of the game, Richarlison got the better of Boly out on the right wing, the French defender blocked Richarlison’s run and in doing so picked up his second yellow of the game meaning Wolves ended with 10 men.
