Here’s your match report from Molineux. And with that, I bid you farewell. Thanks very much for joining me on this one. A point apiece for the Wolves and the Toffees.
“A point is a point,” says Wolves’ Nelson Semedo on TNT Sports. “Second half we did a really good job, we couldn’t score unfortunately.
“Sometimes we just needed a bit of luck. We tried to create and we created a lot of chances when Pablo [Sarabia} came in. He gave us a boost offensively.”
He also praised goalscorer Marshall Munetsi and spoke about Wolves’ survival chances. “We’re going to give everything to make sure Wolves are in the Premier League. We have to work hard.”
Will Everton ever lose again?
(Yes, probably in April, as they face Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea in consecutive games).
Unbeaten in eight league matches:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2025
16 points earned
16 goals scored
The David Moyes effect. pic.twitter.com/VljwetU5BM
Four Premier League teams are now on 33 points: Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and West Ham. The Toffees have the best goal difference of that quartet, although the other three are in action later in the weekend.
FT: Wolves 1-1 Everton
In the end we didn’t get that moment of quality to separate the sides in the second half. Everton were resolute without being at their best, while Wolves showed no shortage of effort or impetus but, shorn of their creative attacking spark in Matheus Cunha, struggled to make inroads in the final third.
A 1-1 draw is a perfectly fair result that should help keep both sides clear of relegation, although Wolves cannot be completely secure as yet.
Ashley Young is brought on to shore things up for Everton. Moyes’ boys are happy with a point, it seems. It would be an eighth league game unbeaten since mid-January.
Updated
Just three minutes of added time. Will we get a winner?
89 mins: Sarabia is on the knees in frustration, believing his was fouled by Garner, and seconds later gets the ball back but curls too high and wide with the angle, coming off the right, in his favour.
More frustration for the Wolves substitute.
86 mins: Tempers are fraying a bit at the end of this one and the referee’s whistle is seeing a lot of action. Silly free-kicks, needless bits of backchat … will a defining moment of quality unfurl itself before the final whistle?
84 mins: Everton win it high up the pitch, Garner does well to keep it alive on the right and tee up Alcaraz, who spins onto his left foot but shoots straight down Sa’s throat. That was a chance.
82 mins: Is this fizzling out for a 1-1 draw that semi benefits both teams, or can Wolves muster something to get the three points they crave? Goncalo Guedes is the latest attacking option to be chucked on by Vitor Pereira – he wants to win it, for sure.
80 mins: Alcaraz has looked lively since coming on, in the same way Sarabia has improved Wolves in the second half.
Aït-Nouri hauls down Gueye to give away a free-kick. This is getting a bit scrappy again, sadly.
Updated
78 mins: Wolves have dealt well with Everton’s set piece threat, in fairness, with Iroegbunam then booked for a swipe at Doherty after it opened up in midfield.
77 mins: Doherty gifts Everton a soft corner and the away fans raise their volume. A chance for the Toffees to nick it here?
75 mins: Given the onus is on Wolves to win – with Everton seemingly content to draw – this has turned into a game of Wolves possession v Everton counterattack. It’s not bad to watch.
Beto did everything right after he was found by Alcaraz; he opened up his body in Thierry Henry style, looking to pass it into the far corner but Sa outstretched a big left hand.
Strand Larsen has been sacrificed in place of Hwang.
72 mins: Strand Larsen ghosts into the channel and receives a fine through-pass from Sarabia and arrows a shot at Pickford’s near post – which the keeper parries away.
Then Everton break quickly and Sa stops a great effort by Beto.
Wow, big big chances at both ends! Beto’s was perhaps the more gilt-edged opportunity.
Updated
70 mins: Hwang is next to be introduced for Wolves, who could perhaps do with his pace running in behind Everton. The home side have been fairly competent on the ball throughout this contest while lacking in sparkle and speed. (Insert Cunha reference here),
68 mins: Beto is being well shackled by Agbadou so far. The Everton striker has turned into a dangerman under Moyes but he’s not really had a sniff yet tonight.
67 mins: Another Wolves corner is taken by Sarabia and nodded away by Garner.
I don’t want to tempt fate, but another goal in this game doesn’t appear forthcoming. Hope I’m wrong.
65 mins: Harrison has gone to the right actually, with Alcaraz to play off the left. It’s all been a bit stop-start in the past few minutes. That probably favours Everton because the momentum was with Wolves.
63 mins: It’s a double change for Everton, then, with Doucoure and Lindstrøm the men removed as Moyes throws on Alcaraz and Iroegbunam. One of them will have to play wide right.
Strand Larsen has been booked for a rash tackle on Tarkowski.
61 mins: Sarabia has been heavily involved for Wolves since his introduction. He’s a crafty, canny operator, flitting between the lines and knitting it all together – he’s tricky to mark because of that.
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60 mins: Sá holds on to Harrison’s deep cross from the left. Wolves are coping far better with the threat posed by Everton at the moment.
57 mins: It looks like Moyes is considering turning to his bench.
Everton don’t have a wealth of attacking options there, though. Youssef Chermiti is a raw attacking talent, Carlos Alcaraz is promising but he’s more of a central midfield option, then there’s Tim Iroegbunam and a load of defenders.
56 mins: Doucoure combines well with Lindstrøm but Wolves shuffle back into position and it’s speculative in the end from Gueye, trying his luck with a 25-yard potshot. Over the bar.
54 mins: Both teams are unhappy with Stuart Attwell as Andre is booked for a foul on Gueye – but Everton wanted the advantage played. I actually think Andre was carded for his reaction, having got right in the face of the referee.
You cannot do that, I’m afraid.
52 mins: Wolves have a free-kick in a dangerous spot. This could be Sarabia Territory.
He aims a left-footed drive over the wall towards the top corner and it’s not far off! Just the wrong side of the upright and into the side netting – Pickford was beaten.
50 mins: For what seems like the umpteenth time tonight, Doucoure has a shot blocked. He always seems to be in the right place as the ball drops down following a set-piece … yet hasn’t been able to test Sa.
At the other end, Joao Gomes’ shot is blocked. This is turning into an end-to-end game!
49 min: It’s Everton’s turn to build an attack of their own with Harrison, again providing an outlet on the left, winning a corner.
Garner hoists it into the box but it’s headed safely away.
47 mins: Wolves have made a positive start after the restart, with Sarabia slotting into the right-sided No 10 position, looking to dovetail with Semedo.
Second half = under way. We go again.
Pablo Sarabia is coming on for Wolves at half-time. The goalscorer Munetsi has been replaced, strangely enough, although it’s believed he’s suffered an injury of some kind.
How many points will be needed for survival this year? Not many, thinks Rick Harris.
With the teams below them unable to pick up points I think Wolves might avoid the drop with the lowest points total in Premier League history as I doubt 36 points will be needed this season. Looking at the teams most likely to be promoted it is hard to see either Burnley or Sheffield United staying up but Leeds might just manage it.
For the good of the league, a promoted team needs to come up and stay up soon.
It’s unlikely that this game has earned you many FPL points, given the rareness of the goalscorers. Munetsi has never bagged in the English top flight before and Harrison had gone a year without scoring before tonight.
Here are your two goals (UK viewers/readers only):
Jack Harrison gives Everton the lead!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2025
The David Moyes revolution continues 📈
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/RavfjPVnHd
Wolves are back in it with a brilliantly worked team goal! 🐺
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 8, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/0cM55Q2JsZ
HT: Wolves 1-1 Everton.
A game that appeared low on quality end product suddenly burst into life after Jack Harrison’s deadlock-breaker just after the half-hour mark. There was a hint of fortune to that Everton opener as it came courtesy of a deflection but Wolves’ response was emphatic, Marshall Munetsi finishing an excellent team move with his first Wolves goal.
It’s very much game on for the second half. It’s there for the taking.
45 mins: We’re into just one minute of stoppage time added on to the first half.
43 mins: Wolves have shown great intent since going behind but they need to keep their heads. There’s been the odd wild challenge. Blood and thunder and all that.
Molineux was crying out for a response and Munetsi, who has looked one of the hosts’ more likely attacking options, has delivered – his first goal for the club. Moyes will be disappointed with his defence there, they didn’t quite track Munetsi.
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Everton (Munetsi, 40)
That’s a superb move from Wolves and they’re level. Everton: finally unlocked!
Munetsi has been a menace and he finishes neatly and low beyond Pickford.
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38 mins: Bellegarde does carry the ball well for Wolves. And Semedo has been a useful outlet on the right. It’s just piecing the jigsaw together that has proven tricky for the home side against a resolute Everton defence.
A corner drops kindly to Andre who shoots into the side netting.
An email from Peter Oh:
I have a soft spot for Wolves and would like to see them stay in the Premier League. Looking at the table, they’re in a strange purgatory. Reasonably - though not all that comfortably – far above the relegation trap door, but also a good distance below the next-highest group of scrappers.
No matter what happens today they’ll remain in purgatory for now, but three points would be big steps toward the safe haven (heaven?) of survival.
Three points looks a little way off at the moment, Peter.
36 mins: Almost a near-instant reply from Wolves as Bellegarde curls an effort just wide of the far post – Pickford probably had it covered, mind.
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35 mins: Everton fans are chanting David Moyes’ name. What an impact he’s had back at his former club!
Wolves simply didn’t get the ball clear enough, Everton recycled and Harrison aimed a left-footed shot that skimmed off Doherty and rolled into the corner with José Sá rooted to the spot.
GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Everton (Harrison, 33)
Beto looks to feed Doucoure but gets a bit too much on the pass and Wolves’ defence can shuttle across and clear.
It’s not fully cleared though and Harrison has found the net via a deflection!
Updated
30 mins: Branthwaite puts himself in the way of a Munetsi effort, with Everton having to do a little more defending in the past five or 10 minutes. After a high-octane start, this game has lacked quality for the most part.
29 mins: Harrison delivers a poor ball from the left, which ruins what was a fairly promising foray forward from Everton.
A rare case of the visitors giving it away cheaply so far.
27 mins: The broadcasters in the UK covering this one are rather playing up the prospects of a proper Premier League relegation battle. Maybe more in hope than expectation? Wolves fans will think they can avoid one.
Pickford comes to sort out a near-mixup in the Everton defence.
25 mins: Tonight’s referee is Stuart Attwell, by the way, who has let most 50-50 calls go so far, making for a fast-paced game.
24 mins: Garner is harshly penalised in midfield, just as Everton seemed to be breaking away and streaming through the centre. Looked like he got the ball cleanly off Munetsi, but the referee thought otherwise.
22 mins: I’ll try not to mention Cunha’s absence too much. But it could be quite significant tonight … we’ll see.
21 mins: Agbadou v Beto is turning into a titanic tussle – definitely one to watch as this game goes on.
The home fans are turning up the volume as their team continue to boss possession. Are they just missing that spark, the kind Matheus Cunha might have offered?
18 mins: There are groans from the Wolves crowd as Semedo slows down a fast counterattack rather than go for the jugular. Everton are getting bodies back quickly, so you sense Wolves need to pounce when they can.
16 mins: Rayan Aït-Nouri embarks on a buccaneering run from left wing-back after a mistake from Everton in possession leaves them wide open. It doesn’t quite happen for Aït-Nouri – he was invited to shoot but had to settle for a corner after his shot took a big deflection.
Munesti goes close from the corner! He rose highest but his header was straight at Pickford on the goalline and it was then whacked clear.
14 mins: Wolves have enjoyed more possession, but Everton look the sharper and more incisive team whenever they get forward. Beto and Doucoure are proving to be a handful.
12 mins: Doucoure is again denied by a super Wolves block, this time Agbadou puts himself on the line after a melee in the box. The Everton man is left with hands on his head.
10 mins: The tempo has slowed somewhat with Wolves’ back three able to dwell on the ball and try and pick their way through Everton. The Toffees’ structure looks sound, mind you. Good discipline from them.
An email from Andy Flintoff (not that one):
I’m not the only person to think that Agbadou has his own (naff Europop-style) theme song from the 80s by Black Lace, am I?
I really hope so, Andy! Can a Wolves fan confirm please?
7 mins: Back on the pitch and Doucoure’s shot was well blocked by a wall of Wolves’ bodies after the ball dropped kindly to him 20 yards from goal.
6 mins: The new Premier League ball really is a belter you know. Proper noughties Total90 vibes, to the point where you wouldn’t mind seeing Morten Gamst Pedersen curl it over a wall from 25 yards. Whoever brought it back clearly enjoyed the recent ‘Barclaysmen’ trend.
3 mins: Neither side has really got hold of it as yet. Toti Gomes sees out the ever-enthusiastic Beto after the Everton man hustled and harried to the byline.
2 mins: The start of such Premier League games is typically a harum-scarum affair and this is no different. Beto is penalised for putting a little too much pressure on Agbadou.
KICK OFF
Here we go!
Wolves’ rendition of Hi Ho Silver Lining is always an enjoyably loud one. We’re pretty much ready to go at a packed-out Molineux.
Everton haven’t won away at Wolves since January 2021 – when there were no fans in the stadium due to the Covid-enforced lockdown.
In fact they’ve only won four of 12 games against Wanderers since the midlands club returned to the Premier League for the 2018/19 season and only one of those was away from home.
Speaking of Mr Brewin, his report from Aston Villa’s win over Brentford has just landed. Busy man.
This is a cracking column from Macclesfield’s finest John Brewin on modern day pundits. His point is well summed up in this line: “A Manchester United player of 2025 has even fewer places to hide than his 90s Liverpool equivalent.”
Presumably the Premier League are tweeting such things out because there’s precious little else to play for in the final two months of the season?
This race for Europe 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fcTkxaAtZr
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 8, 2025
Matheus Cunha will be a huge miss for Wolves today. His needless headbutt on Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup last week was a complete loss of composure and leaves his team without their talisman – and could incur a further ban, with the FA to potentially extend the three-game suspension to four, given precious indiscretions.
Marshall Munetsi, signed from Reims in January, makes just his third start for the club instead. The pressure will be on the Zimbabwean to step up.
It’s 16th v 17th and if Wolves win today they’ll virtually be in a league of their own, still trailing Everton by seven points and eight clear of Ipswich and Leicester, who are on 22 points. An Everton win would keep the gap between 17th and 18th at five points, with Leicester going to Chelsea tomorrow seeking an unlikely win that would close it to just two.
A lot of permutations and ramifications, there, but there’s not much of a relegation scrap to get excited about. It’s not exactly final day 2005.
Team news
Wolves (3-4-3): Sá; Doherty, Agbadou, T. Gomes; Semedo, André, J.Gomes, Aït-Nouri; Munetsi, Bellegarde, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Johnstone, Bueno, Hwang, R. Gomes, Doyle, Sarabia, Guedes, Djiga, Lima.
Everton (4-3-3): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner, Doucouré; Lindstrøm, Harrison, Beto.
Subs: Begovic, Virgínia, Patterson, Keane, Chermiti, Young, Coleman, Alcaraz, Iroegbunam.
Updated
Our current live football offering comes from the Gtech Community Stadium where Ollie Watkins has scored against his old side. Niall McVeigh has the updates.
Preamble
Hello! A few weeks ago this might have been a tantalising relegation six-pointer under the Molineux Saturday night lights. Now, however, thanks largely to the dire form of the three clubs in the drop zone and the impact of new managers at Wolves and Everton, it holds less significance.
Credit must go to both Vítor Pereira and David Moyes, who have re-energised clubs whose football was becoming stale and stagnant and whose results wavered majorly earlier in the season, to the point where Ipswich and Leicester (probably never Southampton) harboured genuine hopes of survival. Not so much anymore – even if a Wolves loss in this one will keep the aforementioned duo vaguely interested.
We’ll run through the team news shortly before the 8pm (GMT) kickoff. Let’s go!
