Everton’s survival hopes were dashed again on Sunday afternoon as they fell to a meek 1-0 loss against Wolves at Goodison Park.
Conor Coady’s headed goal proved to be the difference as Everton’s Premier League relegation concerns deepened after a 1-0 home defeat to Wolves on Sunday afternoon. A fourth straight Premier League loss leaves Frank Lampard’s side in an even more vulnerable situation as they now find themselves without a point difference between themselves and the dreaded drop zone.
Everton started the game at a higher tempo by churning out chances in the opening exchanges and nearly got an early lead, but Jose Sa denied Richarlison a one-on-one chance in the fifth minute. The hosts maintained their intensity but lacked that killer touch or pass to produce many clear-cut chances.
However, Wolves surged back into the game in the second half and broke the deadlock in the 48th minute through Conor Coady. The visitors recovered a free-kick, and Ruben Neves’s cross found the Wolves skipper, who beat Ben Godfrey to the ball and before producing a smashing header.
From that point on, the visitors kept Everton under control and largely frustrated the home side. To make matters worse, Jonjoe Kenny got his marching orders for a second yellow card with little over ten minutes remaining on the clock. And with other relegation contenders Leeds United and Watford also winning, the pressure is mounting on Frank Lampard’s side.
The defeat means Everton are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, but they do have games in hand on the teams around them. Meanwhile, Wolves climbed to seventh place with 46 points from 29 games. The Hard Tackle will now run the rule over Lampard’s men in what was a bitterly disappointing afternoon at Goodison Park.
Jordan Pickford: 6/10
Pickford could not have done much to save Coady’s header, and he was not called into much action otherwise as Wolves only posted three shots on target. His distribution was decent for much of the afternoon.
Jonjoe Kenny: 4/10
While no one can deny his effort and commitment, fouling both Jonny and Raul Jimenez in such a silly manner to pick up two yellow cards within a four-minute period destroyed his afternoon. He was doing fairly well in two unfamiliar roles until that disaster moment. He will now miss the Newcastle United game with suspension.
100 – Jonjoe Kenny received Everton’s 100th Premier League red card; only the second club to be given as many, after Arsenal (101). Bath.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2022
Mason Holgate: 6/10
Holgate had a decent game as he was not at fault for the decisive goal. The Englishman remained solid at the back and was rarely troubled by Raul Jimenez. He also did a good job to get across the backline and cover for his teammates. However, a lack of passing options in front of him really trapped the Toffees in their own half and hindered their attacking play.
Ben Godfrey: 6.5/10
As expected, after a long lay-off, Godfrey was a bit rusty. But he grew into the game and showed his uncompromising, aggressive defending as he was unwavering in the challenges, displaying tenacity while recovering possession seven times.
Everton have lacked a strong, aggressive presence at the back, and Godfrey provided that, finishing the game with a match-high five tackles. However, he was guilty of falling asleep for Conor Coady’s goal piece. Still, the Blues could use more of this fighting attitude in the relegation scrap.
Seamus Coleman: 6/10
Operating in a right wing-back role, Coleman had the license to bombard forward and cause a nuisance with his crossing ability. And the veteran did exactly what was asked of him, as he got forward well into the final third in the first half to deliver some dangerous looking crosses. But he returned to his customary right-back role once the hosts went behind.
Abdoulaye Doucoure: 5/10
Doucoure showed great industry and tenacity in the engine room, making five tackles, but did not really hold the fort and was guilty of being passive in possession. He and Donny van de Beek struggled to win the midfield battle as they were easily overrun and were not forward-thinking enough with their passing.
There’s no team in the league that allows so much space in the middle of the park as us. Doucoure is absolutely awful
— Jöth (@notJoth) March 13, 2022
Donny van de Beek: 6/10
Donny van de Beek was tidy in possession and showed some neat touches but could not carve out anything meaningful from those moments. While the Dutchman did significantly more than his midfield partner Doucoure and showed for the ball, he was still far from his best as Wolves pulled the strings from midfield. Overall, the Manchester United loanee made two dribbles and two tackles.
Vitaliy Mykolenko: 6.5/10
Playing in a more attacking role down the left-flank, Mykolenko showed some dangerous creativity during the opening exchanges as he picked out Richarlison for an early chance with a clever ball. He kept Daniel Podence quiet, but he was perhaps caught out of position a fair few times and was not tight enough to Ruben Neves to stop the cross that led to Coady’s goal. Hooked off for Dele Alli on the hour-mark.
Anthony Gordon: 6.5/10
Gordon showed great intensity, attacking potency, and fashioned a fair few chances throughout the game. He continuously pressed hard and was a livewire in the final third, completing two key passes. He made some enterprising runs and got some decent balls into the box but to no avail.
Richarlison: 7/10
Richarlison is a case of a good player playing in a horrible team and forgetting how good he is and can actually be ?sad … He had a lot of potential pic.twitter.com/wVdlYlW3O6
— Denver (@_D_enver) March 13, 2022
Richarlison should have scored with an early chance in what was a lively start to the game. He put in a hard-working performance leading the line, posing an attacking threat. He also harried the Wolves defenders, and got on the end of several chances, but could not come up with a decisive moment as the Brazilian squandered two big chances.
Demarai Gray: 5/10
Demarai Gray will have a crucial role to play if Everton are to stay up this season. His direct running and dribbling at pace is a big asset to the Toffees’ feeble attack. He was bright and showed some strong running, making three dribbles. Still, his lack of game time in recent weeks reflected with a couple of heavy touches in promising situations while he was constantly drifting in and out of the game before making way for Andros Townsend.
SUBSTITUTES
Dele Alli: 6/10
He provided Everton with a bit of a creative spark, bringing more precision and energy to their build-up play. But he is still a long way from his peak form.
Andros Townsend: 5/10
Townsend brought fresh legs down the right-flank after replacing a tired Gray. But his introduction was tamed by Everton getting reduced to ten men. He also squandered a good opportunity from a free kick in stoppage time.
