Ryan Ait-Nouri scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Wolves came from behind to beat fellow strugglers Everton to climb out of the bottom of the Premier League.
The first away victory of the season proved to be the perfect belated Christmas present for Julen Lopetegui, who became the first Wolves manager since John Barnwell in 1978 to win his first top-flight match in charge of the club.
The visitors made a far from ideal start, falling far behind when Yerry Mena netted Dwight McNeill’s near post corner.
However, they equalized in the first period amid a well-worked corner routine that saw Daniel Podens comfortably slide the ball past home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to the back post from Joao Moutinho’s lobbed pass.
It was not more than the visitors deserved in an entertaining contest, but one that highlighted the attacking shortcomings of both sides.
Idrissa Goye’s quick pass to Anthony Gordon should have allowed the hosts to regain the lead but the Everton winger was brilliantly denied by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, while Neil Maupe twice took advantage of promising positions. I failed.
Although it was far from one-way traffic, Wolves forward Diego Costa failed to muster enough power on a diving header to beat Pickford, who also parried Hugo Bueno’s effort after the break.
And after Everton saw Ben Godfrey’s late effort hacked away by Ruben Neves, Wolves went up the other end to claim a valuable victory in the 95th minute, curling Adama Traore’s cross past Pickford. Turned around.
The win moves Wolves up to 18th, one place below Everton who have now lost their last four games.
Gloomy Goodison
There has been a distinctly familiar and frustrating feeling among Everton supporters in recent days who are unhappy with the lack of progress on the pitch.
And the look of a manager under pressure is one that appears to be playing for a loop at Goodison Park, with the defeat met with a chorus of boos.
Frank Lampard’s side have now won just one of their last eight top-flight matches and despite temporarily breaking the gloom by establishing an early advantage, they have never looked completely in control.
Indeed, before and after Mina’s header, it was Wolves who looked the more capable and fluid possession.
There was a certain element of inevitability about the way things unfolded, with Everton, who have the second-worst record in front of goal at home in the Premier League, failing to make the most of their chances and then fell victim to the wolves’ counter. attack
