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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas

Jordan Pickford fumes at referee over Wolves tactic as late Everton goal sparks VIP section chaos

Everton rescued a crucial point at Wolverhampton Wanderers due to Yerry Mina's 99th minute goal.

The scrambled finish came amid chaotic scenes in the home side's box but the centre back's finish could be of immense value in his club's bid to remain in the Premier League.

After a frantic end to a game in which a patched up Blues side looked set to return to Merseyside with nothing, here are a few moments missed and notes from behind the scenes at Molineux.

READ MORE: Everton analysis - Yerry Mina sends galling reminder as Sean Dyche hit by issues he'll struggle to solve

READ MORE: National media deliver Everton relegation verdict after 'hit and hope approach' questioned

Conor Coady still welcome at club that let him leave for Everton

Conor Coady was unable to feature for Everton due to the terms of his loan deal. The centre back is due to return to his parent club at the end of the season, though Everton have an option to buy him.

There was little doubt that clause would be triggered while Frank Lampard was boss and Coady was a regular but it looks increasingly unlikely with Sean Dyche having dropped him and the centre back area being the one place the club has depth in ahead of a summer in which improving other areas will be the priority whatever league the Blues are in. Despite being unable to play, Coady travelled with Everton and was clearly welcome at Molineux - his departure from which was overseen by the club's former manager Bruno Lage.

While Coady was around the players' area after the full-time whistle the respect in which he is held by Wolves staff was clear as numerous figures sought him out to shake hands and catch up.

Pickford initially refused opportunity to attack

The situation for Everton was desperate throughout the second half, none more so than in the agonising nine minutes of stoppage time.

Everton rarely looked like finding an equaliser but did pile on some pressure in the closing stages. With minutes to go Jordan Pickford, who had been remonstrating with the referee as Wolves tried to run the clock down, sought permission to go up for a late corner but was told to hold back by the Everton dugout.

When Everton got one final corner in the 99th minute the coaching team relented, though he had started his return when Mina forced the ball in.

99th minute celebrations spark silence and anger

Everton's dramatic 99th minute equaliser stunned Molineux and sent the away end berserk.

It also led to some muted celebrations in and around the media area and VIP sections - much to the fury of some nearby home fans who complained about the reaction - shouting their anger and even appearing to raise their concerns with ground staff.

Blues provide backing track to end of year awards

The impact of the goal was particularly pertinent to Wolves' end of season awards. The home fans stayed en masse after the final whistle to watch accolades get handed out to the senior men and women's teams and academy sides.

The ceremony took place on the pitch but the mixture of relief and jubilation sparked by Mina's late goal led to hundreds of Everton fans staying in the ground long after the final whistle - meaning the Wolves award event started to the soundtrack of Everton songs.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin walking unaided after final whistle

Like so many weeks of this season, Everton fans now face another stint of waiting for updates on the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker overcame a groin issue to start at Wolves but was unable to make it to half time as he was forced off with a hamstring injury. It was a blow to Everton and blunted the attack.

Dyche said Calvert-Lewin's injury would be assessed in the coming days but while he headed straight down the tunnel when he was taken off, he was still with the team at the full-time whistle and moving unaided as the team prepared to leave the ground.

However serious his injury turns out to be, Calvert-Lewin was clearly devastated as he made his way off the pitch - holding his shirt over his face as he limped off.

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