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Attendance: 31,231
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Premier League | Gameweek 1
Aug 11, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
Everton logo

2-2

Neves (44'), Jimenez (80')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Richarlison (17', 67')

Live Commentary: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Everton - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Wolverhampton Wanderers fight back to earn a 2-2 draw with Everton in Saturday's Premier League fixture.
2

Wolverhampton Wanderers have twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with 10-man Everton in Saturday's Premier League clash at Everton.

The Toffees went ahead through Richarlison, but the dismissal of Phil Jagielka for a studs-up challenge on Diogo Jota led to Ruben Neves curling a free kick into the top corner from 20 yards.

Everton deservedly regained their advantage thanks to a fine individual effort from Richarlison, but Raul Jimenez salvaged a point for Wolves with a late header.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in the West Midlands courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton. These two teams were among the biggest spenders in the summer transfer window, but who will start the campaign with a positive result? Let's see who Nuno Espirito Santo and Marco Silva have selected in their starting lineups...

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Costa, Jota; Jimenez

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBSTITUTES: Ruddy, Enobakhare, Gibbs-White, Saiss, Vinagre, Hause, Bonatini


EVERTON XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Jagielka, Baines; Gueye, Schneiderlin; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Tosun

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Ramirez, Digne, Niasse, Davies, Calvert-Lewin


Let's start with Wolves as Nuno opts to hand debuts to four of his summer signings. As expected, Rui Patrico takes his place between the sticks and Jonny Otto features at left wing-back. Joao Moutinho gets the nod over Romain Saiss in midfield and Raul Jimenez plays at centre forward.

Saiss had also been an option to play on the right side of defence but Nuno has instead opted for Ryan Bennett. Conor Coady and Willy Boly take their spots elsewhere along the backline as Leander Dendoncker is made to wait for his debut after joining from Anderlecht on Thursday.

Further forward, Diogo Jota and Helder Costa are the pair who will work in close proximity to Jimenez and there is no place on the bench for either Ivan Cavaleiro or Adama Traore, who has been suffering with a shoulder injury.

Their absence means that Morgan Gibbs-White and Bright Enobakhare are the creative midfielders on the bench for Wolves, with Leo Bonatini also being kept in reserve. Bonatini is without a goal since early December.

As for Everton, Marco Silva has included Richarlison in his attack, but there is no place for full-back Lucas Digne, who must start life at Goodison Park on the bench. As expected, Kurt Zouma, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Bernard are not involved.

That means that Leighton Baines takes his place on the left-hand side of defence, with Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka being used in the centre. The back four will be supported by Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin, who will be attempting to convince Silva that he warrants a place in his plans going forward.

Gylfi Sigurdsson will operate just in front of the pair and behind Cenk Tosun, who is being used in the lone-forward role. Theo Walcott will be looking to build on a strong end to last season on the right-hand side.

The bench features young English duo Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as well Sandro Ramirez who is expected to be loaned out to a Spanish side at some point during August. Oumar Niasse is also being kept as an option for the second half.

There have already been a number of Premier League matches taking place throughout the day. Click here to access our live scores section to catch up.

Wolves have returned to the Premier League with plenty of promise, but that wasn't the case when they were relegated six years ago. Just five wins were recorded from 38 matches with 82 goals being conceded. Everyone associated with the club will be hoping for much better this time around.

They ended the 2011-12 campaign without a victory in 14 matches. It means that Wolves have not recorded a win in the top flight since February 2012, with QPR being defeated at Loftus Road.

However, a massive rebuilding job took place after a second successive relegation to League One and five years on, Wolves find themselves under the ownership of Fosun International, who are said to be targeting winning the Premier League within seven years. That is what you call ambition but are their aims unrealistic? Only time will tell.

You will certainly struggle to criticise the signings made by the West Midlands outfit. There is a mix of proven performers and highly-regarded prospects looking to make the step up to the next level. Wolves are probably a right-sided defender and left wing-back short of a perfectly-weighted squad, but Nuno is delighted with the group of players at his disposal.

KEY MAN! Neves will undoubtedly be regarded as Wolves' key man. There are suggestions that the Portugal international may have to play a more defensive role this season with Moutinho having been signed, but he really flourished in playing alongside a player in Romain Saiss who did the "ugly" side of the game. It will be interesting to see how Nuno opts to use Neves as the season progresses.

Talking of Portuguese players, Wolves are breaking the Premier League record for amount of Portuguese players in a starting lineup today with Patricio, Neves, Moutinho, Jota and Costa all featuring. The previous record had been three with Chelsea having Paulo Ferriera, Ricardo Carvalho and Tiago in their team.

Let's turn our attention to Everton, who are unbeaten in their last six opening-day fixtures. Four draws have been recorded since 2012.

The Toffees also head into this game having won each of their last five fixtures against promoted teams without conceding a goal. With Zouma and Mina not featuring, it may be a tough ask for that to remain the case.

That said, Silva will possess nothing but excitement when it comes to trying to get the best from this Everton side. He knows that the supporters are demanding entertaining football and we expect an offensive-minded display against their hosts for the day.

All eyes are sure to be on Richarlison, who has cost Everton in excess of £40m. The young Brazilian did not exactly impress during the second half of the last campaign, but a rest should have done the attacker the world of good after an exhausting first season with Watford.

KEY MAN! However, we are backing Cenk Tosun to be Everton's key man in this game. Conor Coady - who has been converted from midfielder to centre-back - has previously shown frailties against top-class frontmen and Tosun could capitalise this evening.

Nuno and Silva will not be meeting for the first time. During their respective days at Estoril and Rio Ave, they played each other on four occasions, with the away side coming out on top on each occasion.

PREDICTION! Both teams have high expectations ahead of the new campaign and we are expecting an entertaining tussle in the West Midlands. The two backlines should find themselves under frequent pressure and that could lead to a back-and-forth 2-2 draw.

HEAD TO HEAD! These two teams are meeting for the 131st time in a competitive match, with Everton having registered 60 victories in comparison to 44 wins for Wolves.

Eight encounters have taken place since 2003, with Everton putting together a record of three wins and four draws. Their only defeat during that time came in May 2004.

The most recent match occurred on May 6, 2012. The goalless draw at Molineux was Wolves' last top-flight clash at home before relegation to the Championship.

It's time for the two teams to start making their way onto the pitch. As you would expect, Molineux is a cauldron of noise. Win, lose or draw, do not expect that to change throughout the season.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Costa, Jota; Jimenez

EVERTON XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Jagielka, Baines; Gueye, Schneiderlin; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Tosun


KICKOFF:  It's Everton who get us underway.

Some early pressure from Everton who immediately win a corner after a set piece is needed to be headed behind by Bennett. Nothing comes from it but it a statement of intent from the Toffees.

I don't think that this was intentional but Neves almost catches Pickford off-guard with a cross from the right, with the England international having to see the ball over the crossbar.

Some strong pressing from Wolves forces a mistake out of Keane and the home side win a throw-in. It's not the first time that Wolves have pushed forward as soon as the Everton defence have the ball.

Wolves are now starting to dominate possession, just like they did on the way to the Championship title last season. However, they are rushing the final pass a bit, especially down the flanks.

Back come Everton who win a corner through Sigurdsson. It has been a lively opening without any clear-cut chances. They will surely arrive sooner rather than later. Nothing comes from the set piece.

SHOT!  A mistake from Boly gives Coleman the opportunity to get a left-footed shot on goal from around 16 yards, but the full-back's strike is straight at Patricio.

It remains a lively game, but so many long, raking passes are being over-hit. It is quite blustery at Molineux, but the quality should be better.

YELLOW CARD!  The first yellow card of the game goes to Richarlison, who goes in late on Moutinho. Easy decision for the referee.

Richarlison shows his talent going the other way and wins a free kick after a poor challenge from Doherty. A chance here for Baines or Sigurdsson to get the ball into the box.

GOAL!  Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Everton (Richarlison)

Everton paid big money for Richarlison, but they were probably not expecting this kind of goal. A free kick is swung in and Boly appears to head the ball against Bennett, providing Richarlison with the chance to convert from close range.

Wolves are already facing a test of their character. While the football along the floor has been nice, they are yet to create anything in the final third.

That goal has not necessarily left the home side and their supporters stunned, but it has reminded them of the task in hand. They have not had it easy during the early stages.

SHOT!  Better from Wolves but after a half-clearance arrives at the feet of Moutinho, the summer signing sends a volley high over the crossbar.

Jota has been off the pace for Wolves so far. More often than not, the playmaker has taken too much time on the ball and any potential openings are being lost.

Another pass goes astray for Wolves, with Boly being the guilty party. Everton are playing this perfectly at the moment. They are sitting deep enough to stifle their hosts when they push forward.

The early enthusiasm has also been lost in the stands, and credit must go to Everton for that. They are simply picking up the scraps when they inevitably come.

Everton take their turn to get hold of the ball, and they stay patient and make Wolves chase. The home side eventually regain possession, but the Toffees continue to take the sting out of the game.

Wolves should have done better here. They dispossessed Everton in the middle of the pitch and Jimenez seemed to have the pace to beat Jagielka in behind. However, Moutinho held onto the ball for too long and the Mexican strayed offside.

The home side are definitely starting to become frustrated, especially Neves. The Portugal international is at his best when being given licence to dictate the game, but today he is chasing around after the ball far too often.

Jimenez is warming into the game but like Neves, he appears to have taken it upon himself to get into the match. The forward twisted and turned on the byline, but eventually found himself being given no space to do anything productive.

Again, excellent work from Jimenez who forces Everton into a rushed clearance which only goes to Costa. However, a long-range effort is scuffed well wide of the target.

SHOT!  Wolves are increasing their intensity and enjoying their best moments of the match. Costa gets a chance to work with the ball on the edge of the area but rather selfishly, the winger shoots straight at Pickford from 25 yards.

RED CARD!  Jagielka has been sent off! The defender mis-controlled the ball on the edge of the area, and slid in wildly on Jota. He catches Jota on the ankle with his studs and the referee quickly shows the red card. It is one of those which is probably somewhere between yellow and red. It looks a harsh red to me.

SUBSTITUTION! Silva - who is disgusted with the decision - replaces Sigurdsson with Holgate.

GOAL!  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Everton (Ruben Neves)

Wolves equalise and in some style too! Neves is standing over the ball and sends a swerving free kick into Pickford's top left-hand corner. The goalkeeper should probably do better.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Wolves now have a spring in their step and Molineux is absolutely rocking. They probably don't want this first half to end, which was not the case a few minutes ago!

Fair play to Everton because they have not chosen to sit back. The visitors win a corner after good work from Coleman.

SHOT!  They win a second and Baines's delivery finds Keane at the back post, but the centre-back's header is straight at Patricio.

HALF TIME:  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Everton

The half-time whistle finally goes at Molineux, and Wolves and Everton head into the break on level terms. Everton have had the better of the game, but the sending off of Jagielka has changed everything. Wolves have the momentum but Everton showed at the end of the first half that they still have ambitions to win this match.

Everton's goal came from a set piece. Boly failed to deal with a delivery from the left, with the ball being headed against teammate Bennett. That resulted in Richarlison being presented with an opportunity from six yards out and the summer signing made no mistake with a low effort under Patricio.

Wolves' goal also came via a free kick, but Neves's effort possessed a touch of class. Pickford could have perhaps done better, but the Portugal international got the ball up and down over the wall from 20 yards. The sending off of Jagielka will be contested for hours, but the centre-back put himself in a position where he risked a dismissal and contact on Jota was made with his studs.

The two teams have made their way back out. It does not look like any changes have been made.

KICKOFF:  Wolves get us back underway at Molineux.

Everton are already camped in their own half, but I don't expect them to stay there throughout the next 45 minutes. Wolves are spraying the ball about looking for an opening.

The Toffees look to get the ball forward once they get hold of it. They are probably going to have to take the direct approach and look to take advantage from set pieces.

It is all a little bit stop start right now, which Everton will probably take. Neither side have come close to creating another opportunity.

Nothing doing over the past couple of minutes. Wolves have slowed the pace right down. I'm not sure that is the right approach.

Better from Wolves who engineer a chance for Doherty to cross for Jimenez at the back post. However, the delivery is over-hit and although the Mexican retrieves the ball, Everton survive.

SHOT!  Neves has got licence to shoot from wherever he wants to but even for him, this is ambitious. A well-struck effort from 35 yards goes over the bar.

CHANCE!  Another mistake from Boly leads to Tosun being given the chance to run towards goal from 30 yards out. Walcott is to his right, but the Turkish striker goes on his own and sees a 20-yard effort tipped wide by Patricio.

CHANCE!  Wolves should be ahead. Bennett threads a through-ball to Jimenez and the Mexican is in on goal. However, he goes for power and Pickford makes an excellent block from around 15 yards.

It is easy to forget that Everton are down to 10 men because they are still well in this match. Wolves need to be a little bit smarter in possession, although they are slowly building a head of steam.

We are around that time where both head coaches must be considering a change or two. Both are missing some of their summer additions but there are still game-changers on the bench.

Everton are starting to get on top again. Tosun's cross is headed back across goal by Richarlison and Walcott should score from around eight yards out. However, the winger scuffs his shot and Wolves just about clear.

GOAL!  Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Everton (Richarlison)

Everton retake the lead! A throw-in is played into the feet of Tosun, who tees up Richarlison. The Brazilian strides into the penalty area and uses Coady to curl the ball into the far corner from 14 yards out. Brilliant goal.

Wolves now need to find a second wind. They have looked threatening when forcing the pace, but they have not done it often enough. Nuno needs to make a change.

SUBSTITUTION! Wolves' first alteration sees Bonatini come on for Costa.

Bonatini's first contribution is to win a corner for his side, but nothing comes from the set piece. It will be interesting to see whether Everton continue to show ambition now that Wolves are pushing further forward.

SUBSTITUTION! A second change for Wolves sees Vinagre replace Jonny.

Better from Wolves as Doherty delivers a cross to the near post which is met by Jimenez. However, Keane makes a crucial block to prevent the ball from heading into the top corner.

GOAL!  Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Everton (Raul Jimenez)

Wolves are back on level terms through Jimenez! Neves is given the chance to deliver an inswinging cross and it finds Jimenez at the back post, with the forward powering a header inside the far post from six yards out.

SUBSTITUTION! Everton act by replacing Tosun with Niasse.

Wolves are going for this but it is playing right into the hands of Everton. There is a two-on-one scenario which is led by Coleman, but the right-back's cross is over-hit and Niasse cannot get on the end of it.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Both teams make their final change. Gibbs-White is on for Moutinho for Wolves, while Digne replaces an injured Richarlison for Everton.

Credit should go to both of these teams. They are not settling for a point which they would surely take in the circumstances.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

This match could still go either way. Wolves are still pushing but they are looking tired. There is always room down the flanks for Everton.

FULL TIME:  Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Everton

The full-time whistle goes at Molineux and as we predicted before the game, a back-and-forth fixture has ended in a 2-2 draw. Both teams will feel that they should have won the game for differing reasons, but neither club will complain too much about recording a point apiece.

That will be all from Sports Mole from this match. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates winning the Championship title on May 7, 2018
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