Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking for their third consecutive win when they host Everton. On Wednesday night, Gary O’Neil’s team thrashed Brentford 4-1. The Toffees lost 3-1 to the current holders after failing to cling onto a slim lead against Manchester City.
Preview (Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Everton)
Three days after Wolves exploited Chelsea’s defensive shortcomings in a 2-1 victory on Christmas Eve. Brentford defender Nathan Collins put on a dreadful one-man show on Wednesday night. Collins mishandled passes and missed a fantastic opportunity to cut the lead with a header from close range. Hwang Hee-chan and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde both scored goals. A merciless Wolves team was further obliged by another Hwang goal and an early Mario Lemina header.
Even though Wolves had two goals handed to them on a platter, O’Neil was still keen to showcase his team’s clinical play on a night that saw the West Midlands team soar to 11th place in the Premier League standings, level on points with Chelsea and Bournemouth despite having played one more game than the latter. Wolves also achieved back-to-back Premier League victories at the Gtech Community Stadium for the first time this season. However, the hosts have not won three straight top-flight games since the days of Bruno Lage in January 2022. They have lost their last four games at the end of the calendar year.
The Toffees led 1-0 going down the tunnel. The world champions rallied in the second half behind goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva. Pickford made a mistake, and Silva’s header allowed the England captain to score. In his post-match media obligations, Dyche was forthright about the controversial handball by Madou Onana. Everton suffered their third straight loss, having also fallen to Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham during the holiday season.
Team News
Wolves forward Hwang was substituted deep into first-half injury time after scoring his ninth and tenth Premier League goals of the season at the Gtech Community Stadium. O’Neil, however, clarified that Hwang’s ailment was solely a back spasm. Although he could not promise his availability for Everton’s visit, the 40-year-old South Korea international said he would be fine for the Asian Cup. As a result, August’s match-winner Kalajdzic and Pedro Neto should be on standby. Due to a knee laceration, Craig Dawson will also require evaluation.
Idrissa Gueye, an enforcer for Everton in the midfield, had an injury over the weekend that prevented him from playing against Man City. Dyche has stated that the ailment’s prognosis is not good. It will probably take a little longer for Abdoulaye Doucoure to recover from his thigh injury as well. Ashley Young was deemed fit to start on the bench but failed to recover from a knock in time to play against the champions.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Everton
For more football previews, click here
