Wolverhampton Wanderers were held to a 1-1 stalemate by visitors Everton at Molineux on Saturday evening in the Premier League.
Wolves attempted to play out from the back under pressure and eventually gave the ball away, and Everton quickly took advantage, finding Jack Harrison on the left of the box before his shot was deflected into the back of the net to give his side the lead in the first half.
However, the hosts found themselves level shortly after, with Marshall Munetsi finishing from close range after he was played through in the penalty box by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
The second half was a relatively uneventful 45 minutes, though Wolves will perhaps feel they should have made more of the 70% possession they accumulated.
However, the draw left the home team in 17th place with 23 points, and they are now six ahead of 18th-placed Ipswich Town, while the Toffees are in 14th place with 33 points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Considering Wolves were missing talisman Matheus Cunha, a draw should not be seen as a bad result against an impressive Everton side.
Additionally, the hosts' six-point advantage over Ipswich is a significant total given there are only 10 games left to play in the Premier League.
Toffees boss David Moyes had asked for more goal contributions from his wide players, and Harrison will be delighted to have scored considering he failed to find the back of the net in 34 games before tonight.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. EVERTON HIGHLIGHTS
17th min: Jordan Pickford (Everton) save
The hosts take a corner from the right and swing it towards the back post where Munetsi waits, and the attacker powers his header low but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is equal to the effort, blocking the shot with his leg before the ball rolls out for a Wolves throw.
A great save!
Jack Harrison goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (33rd min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Everton)
Wolves try to play out from the back, but centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou fires a risky pass forward from the edge of his box and Everton intercept before quickly working the ball out wide to Harrison, who shoots from the left side of the box and sees his effort deflect into the right of the net.
It took two deflections but Everton lead!
Marshall Munetsi goal vs. Everton (40th min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Everton)
Rayan Ait-Nouri plays an inside pass from the left touchline to Bellegarde, who threads the ball between Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko to Munetsi, and the attacker sweeps home from yards out into the left of the net.
Wolves respond quickly!
MAN OF THE MATCH - ANDRE
Andre was pivotal for Wolves on the ball, with the midfielder completing 72 of his 74 passes, with no other player to have started completing a higher percentage (97%).
The Brazilian was also important for his team out of possession, and no other Wolves player won more duels (9) than he did.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS
Possession: Wolverhampton Wanderers 66%-34% Everton
Shots: Wolverhampton Wanderers 11-12 Everton
Shots on target: Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-4 Everton
Corners: Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-5 Everton
Fouls: Wolverhampton Wanderers 11-16 Everton
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Wolves will be relishing the opportunity to take three points from Southampton next Saturday, though they will have to wait until April 1 to face West Ham United in their subsequent league game.
However, Everton are set to host West Ham on Saturday before visiting Anfield on April 2 to take on Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby of the season.
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