Wolves inflict a third straight defeat on Everton and stretch their unbeaten run to five matches, with Raul Jimenez strike proving to be the winner at Molineux as Bruno Lage's side move up to seventh
- Max Kilman headed his first Wolves goal midway through the first half
- Raul Jimenez capitalised on Ben Godfrey's awful back-pass to double the lead
- Alex Iwobi prodded in after half-time but but the visitors rarely threatened
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Really it couldn’t have been any other way. After late drama in their previous two fixtures, we should have known Wolves had to do things the hard way.
It should not have been so for head coach Bruno Lage and his players. For much of this collision, they dominated and played some fine football, the buzzing industry of their new hero Hee Chan Hwang was too much for Everton to handle.
Yet, somehow, right until the final whistle the home crowd was tense and nervous, fretting that another last-gasp goal would stop them in their tracks, as had been the case at Elland Road last weekend. Had they thrown away victory here, it would have been risible. Everton should never have been given the chance to make things nervous.
The first half was so one sided, it bordered on embarrassing. The premise of Monday Night Football is excitement and intriguing close-knit contests but this was nothing of the sort. Wolverhampton were out of the gates quicker than a sprinter at the nearby racetrack and were not for catching.
It took nine minutes for the first meaningful shot to arrive – a fizzing volley from Ruben Neves that forced Jordan Pickford to move decisively – but once Lage’s side found their range, it filled them with confidence and enabled them to go about dismantling Everton.
Pickford, watched by England head coach, needed to be at his best to tip away a curling left-footed shot from Francisco Trincao in the 14th minute; he was beaten 60 seconds later by Hwang but the South Korea forward had fractionally mistimed his run and the goal was chalked off.
You anticipated there would be some response from Everton but none was forthcoming. Jean-Phillippe Gbamin and Allan, their central midfield axis, ran back to protect their defence as if they were carrying suitcases under both arms, so slow and laboured was their movement.
This wasn’t just impoverished, it was insulting to the thousands who had travelled down from Merseyside to watch. At least at 0-0 there was a glimmer that things could change but the way Wolves were moving, it was never realistic to think it would stay that way. So it proved.
Jiminez, whose aggression and physicality had spooked Everton’s defence, set off on a run into the danger zone that Seamus Coleman did well to halt but, from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s resulting corner, Max Kilman hustled in between Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey to turn his header into the far corner.
Benitez stood on the sidelines with his arms outstretched, his expression that of a parent who has told their children over and over what to do but seen their message fall on deaf ears, but it is clear that Everton cannot get to grips with his wish to defend zonally.
Then again, the ability to defend properly would be a start. The goal which enabled Wolves to stretch their advantage was a calamity, plain and simple. There was no danger when Keane flipped a ball out on the left to Godfrey but, inexplicably, he passed back to his goal and found Jiminez.
There was still some work to be done as Jiminez scuttled away from Mason Holgate but his composure was impeccable and Wolves’s number nine conjured a wonderful dinked finish that Pickford could do nothing about.
It had been so easy for Wolverhampton that complacency, more than anything, was going to be their biggest foe in the second period and laxness was certainly to blame in the 52nd minute when Jose Sa, their goalkeeper, gave possession to Richarlison eight yards out.
Much to Lage’s relief, Sa was able to recover and smother Richarlison’s attempt to bundle the ball over the line. It served as a warning how quickly games can change but the warning was not heeded as in the 65th minute, Alex Iwobi gave Everton hope when thrashing in a loose ball.
Lage was fizzing and fidgeting with impatience, wanting three points wrapped up. He had seen Jiminez hit a post with a header and the wonderful Hwang caused Everton palpitations each time he set off on a scurrying run but the decisive goal would not arrive.
Everton continued to drive forward and almost pilfered an equaliser when substitute Antony Gordon had a header saved by Sa but it wasn’t to be. Wolves did enough. Just.
Scroll down to see how it all unfolded with Sportsmail's live runner.
Hwang is replaced by Fabio Silva.
Five minutes of added time.
Jimenez is replaced by Dendoncker.
Rondon comes on for Gray.
Big save!
Richarlison wins a header at the near post from a corner and forces a great stop from Sa.
Coleman receives the ball on the right hand side of the box but his cross doesn't beat the first man.
10 minutes to go at Molineux. Both teams having success going forward...
Podence comes on for Trincaso.
Anthony Gordon replaces Iwobi.
Nearly as penalty for Wolves as Holgate brings down Gray inches outside the area.
Doesn't get much closer than that.
Wide!
Great play until the finish!
Trincao receives the ball in the box and dances past a challenge before screwing his shot wide from close range.
Should have scored.
Iwobi pulls one back!
Keane tees up the former Arsenal man ion the box and he guides a first time finish into the bottom right corner.
Game on.
Everton continuing to push but Wolves still looking relatively comfortable.
Almost a third out of nowhere for Wolves as they break and Semedo dinks a cross into Jimenez.
The forward sees his header come back off the upright.
Everton's shape is so much better now. Wolves are struggling to get out of their half.
Close!
Wolves almost gift Everton a goal as Sa tries to play a pass out from goal and manages to hit it straight at Richarlison,
The striker can't adjust in time and Sa manages to gather the ball again.
Block!
Gray receives the ball on the left hand side of the box but Neves does really well to close down the shot.
The Toffees look much more confident in possession than they did in the first half.
Much better from Everton as they work the ball down the right.
Townsend puts in a really dangerous cross but Coady manages to head it clear.
Delph replaces Gbamin, who had a night to forget.
An awful half for the visitors.
Two minutes of added time.
Half chance for Everton as a free0kick is whipped in from the right.
Holgate gets a head to it but can't get it on target.
Half chance for Everton as a free0kick is whipped in from the right.
Holgate gets a head to it but can't get it on target.
It's been all Wolves bar that one chance for Gray. Everton lucky it's only 2-0.
Chance!
Big moment as a failed clearance allows Gray through on goal but he drags his shot well wide.
Everton are falling apart again!
It's all their own faulty as Godfrey tries to play a foolish pass ack to the keeper. He doesn't get enough on it and Jimenez runs on to dink it over the keeper.
Ait-Nouri swings the corner in and Kilman rises high to power a header past Pickford.
Too easy and fully deserved.
Important piece of defending from Coleman who manages to block Jimenez's strike.
Corner for the hosts.
Better from Everton as Iwobi drives into the box but his cross doesn't find anyone.
The pace of the game has slowed a little. Wolves being patient and Everton looking more organised.
Neves steps up to take the free-kick but it goes well over the crossbar.
Holgate is lucky to escape without a booking after hauling down Trincao.
Wolves have the ball in the net but it won't count.
Jimenez drivers into the box before laying it off to Hwang. He sees his first shot saved but puts it in off the post at the second attempt.
Replays show he was narrowly off.
Save!
Pickford to the rescue again as he dives to tip Trincao's dipping strike from 20 yards over the bar.
Good effort, good stop.
Save!
The corner is headed out to the edge of the area where Neves catches it with a fine volley, forcing a good save out of Pickford.
Good start from the hosts.
Wolves get the ball forward again and Ait-Nouri wins a corner.
Trincao almost latches on to a ball over the top but he can't quite reach it.
Wolves with the brighter start, pushing forward on a couple of occasions.
Everton solid at the back so far.
Everton get us underway.
Wolves boss Bruno Lage is relishing the opportunity to test himself against Rafael Benitez.
“That’s the big challenge in the Premier League, to compete against these managers,” he said.
“If I look back 10 years ago, I see these managers and players on TV and now I’m here playing against them and trying to win the game.
“That’s the challenge of the Premier League, to compete with the best.
And welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of Wolves vs Everton.
Team news to follow with kick-off at 8pm.
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