Everton edge thriller

She’s Electric by Oasis boomed out over the tannoy as Everton were applauded off the field following a job well done against a good team. A great game. A “thriller” you could say, and certainly a great advert for the Premier League.

"Everton edge past Lincoln in thriller" screamed the headline on BBC Sport on Wednesday evening but of course that wasn't quite true. A good game it was, but winning by two clear goals is not exactly what I would calling "edging" or indeed a "thriller". We discussed the Lincoln City game and how great it was to see our players standing up for each other in the pub before the game, Ste joining us a little later on looking a bit worse for wear following a night in Manchester yesterday evening.

In good time, we were into Goodison Park, even with time to spare to catch a bit of the Old Firm on one of the screens, before taking our seats for the sirens.

Now this game against Wolverhampton Wanderers was one more akin to a “thriller”, especially with the way the game begun with three goals within the first 12 minutes in what was a pulsating start to the game. A clumsy mix-up between Conor Coady and Rui Patricio opened the door for Richarlison who made no mistake, pouncing on the loose ball and slamming it into the empty net first time after only 5 minutes.

The joy was short-lived when Adam Traore got past Lucas Digne on the byline a little too easily before squaring the ball across the box which Coleman couldn’t quite clear and the ball was presented to Romain Saiss who made no mistake in levelling the scores.

That was on 9 minutes. Just 3 minutes later, however, we were ahead again this time when an exquisite ball in on the bounce from Gylfi Sigurdsson was well headed home by the lively Alex Iwobi and Everton had a 2-1 lead. A crazy 12 minutes, two teams giving it their all and a pumped-up atmosphere meant you knew there was a lot more to come in this game.

It looked as though Wolves were going to provide it too, not least when Patrick Cutrone’s effort at goal was somehow repelled by Jordan Pickford to preserve our lead. Raul Jimenez, who tormented us at Goodison Park last season, also twice came close in what were comparatively easier saves for Jordan Pickford.

Thankfully, the game finally settled down a bit for the remainder of the half but the tempo and verve was still there, just Everton had finally got a grip on the midfield with Fabian Delph and Andre Gomes both doing well in the middle. We got to the break with the lead preserved.

The second half began with Everton carrying on where they left off – a bit more robust than they had been in the opening 25 minutes in what was an often cagey game but played in good spirits and, contrary to popular belief around me, well officiated by Anthony Taylor. We seemed to be happy enough for Wolves to have the ball with Delph and Gomes continuing to scrap to good effect. Iwobi and particularly Richarlison worked the counter-attack from the flanks. Gylfi Sigurdsson put the hard yards in between midfield and attack, with Moise Kean ready to pounce on whatever came his way.

Though there is merit in the thinking that maybe we should have gone on the front foot a bit more, Wolves are a dangerous and scrappy team and we had to be wary of their threat. Things began to go a bit wrong when Iwobi began to tire. He did a few loose touches and made a few poor decisions and when Richarlison did ever so well to get back and block a cross for a Wolves throw-in, Iwobi went down for treatment as Everton readied their substitutes. It’s situations like this where Everton will need to wise up. It seemed they switched off a bit while play had stopped and perhaps weren’t as prepared as they should have been for the long throw. In it came from Ryan Bennett, Willy Boly flicked on at the near post and Jiminez bundled home at the back, getting himself hurt in the process. Wolves level, deservedly so some may have argued.

What impressed me with both the team and the crowd is that nobody appeared especially fazed. The players walked back clapping and encouraging each other. The crowd roared the lads on. When Wolves scored against us last season, it really felt like such a downer when this happened; now, however, the crowd seem more with the team.

The substitutions were made, no surprises – Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bernard for the flat out new lads Moise Kean and Alex Iwobi. Both the substitutes contributed well, but it was two of our existing gems who combined for our winning goal. Lucas Digne, who, Wolves first goal aside, had been exceptional throughout, put in an incredible ball which was well attacked by Richarlison who guided his header brilliantly into the corner of the net. At first glance, I thought Patricio made a bit of a meal of it but from the replay you could see how well placed the header was.

There was still 10 minutes to play but, as Dan said on the way home, you felt that Wolves equaliser was about all they could muster as they were pretty drained by then following a solid effort, and perhaps a touch of tiredness from the Europa League on Thursday. They tried to attack to get back level again, but at this stage of the game it allowed more opportunity to Everton and but for a couple of top saves from Patricio, denying both Richarlison and Yerry Mina, we could have “edged” our second game of the week 4-2.

The game was well and truly up for Wolves in stoppage time when Willy Boly was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence when he chopped down Richarlison. Cheers met the full-time whistle. She’s Electric by Oasis boomed out over the tannoy as Everton were applauded off the field following a job well done against a good team. A great game. A “thriller” you could say, and certainly a great advert for the Premier League, as Dan said.

An important three points going into the international break and with Sheffield United at home coming up next we have a great opportunity to build on our current position of 6th. On that game, if anybody knows of a spare ticket going for the Sheffield United game at around face value, preferably in the Lower Gwladys though not essential, could you let me know on the comments? My Father-in-Law will be over from Germany and wants to catch the game, and the tickets on StubHub are currently very expensive.

Much obliged.

Player ratings:

Pickford: Let’s not speak to soon, and I sincerely hope I’m still saying this at the end of the season but I think he’s come on leaps and bounds. Last season was tough for him with the derby, the mistakes against Newcastle United and getting in a ruck in Sunderland, and he’s taken a lot of stick. This season however, he’s looking very focused. He’s making great saves. He’s distributing brilliantly. When he first arrived from Sunderland we’d heard a lot of his great left foot and I was looking forward to seeing it. He has tried to distribute but doesn’t seem to have found his range until now. He’s really looking the part. Well done Jordan. Keep it up. 8

Digne: He loses a mark for letting Traore get past him too easily for Wolves’ first goal. But otherwise he was outstanding. A real class act and a great assist. 8

Mina: I don’t know who exactly was at fault for Wolves’ second equaliser but I feel it’s on the centre-backs to keep everyone focused in them situations. Either way, I thought Yerry played well, though he does seem to have the odd lapse of concentration, but otherwise good. 7

Keane: The pick of the two centre backs for me. Had a good game at the back. 7

Coleman: Also did well. Fresh competition from Djibril Sidibe will hopefully help him up his game. 7

Delph: I was a bit surprised Fabian started the game instead of Morgan Schneiderlin and, though he had a few dicey moments, he really looks the part. It’s hard to believe that was his first game at Goodison Park as he looked right at home. I like the look of that pair (he and Andre Gomes). Not a bad Goodison bow at all. 7

Gomes: Did a lot of, perhaps unnoticed, defensive work which I assume were his instructions. When we had to step it up however in the final 15 minutes, my did Andre rise to it with a sterling finish to the game for which Wolves had no answer. Well done, Andre. 8

Iwobi: I like the look of Alex. He’s very busy and productive, not least for our second goal. Has also settled very quickly, though did tire with 15 minutes to go. Once he gets up to speed he could be a real asset for us. 7

Richarlison: Not just for his two well-taken goals, but more for his all-round outstanding effort and contribution with the ball throughout, but Richarlison is my man of the match. His performances have been pretty poor in the opening few games, but he has heart and keeps on going. I was made up for him when he scored late at Lincoln City on Wednesday as I thought that may be the boost he needed to kick on, but didn’t expect a performance like that from the Brazilian. Well done Richarlison. 9

Sigurdsson: Didn’t get on the ball an awful lot, but did put in a delicious ball for Iwobi’s goal, and worked tirelessly throughout. A great effort from our Icelander. 7

Kean: I like Moise, he’s plucky. He fancies his chances and makes things happen. It’s apparent that we’ll have to be patient with him, but as with young players, you have to give them the games to learn. Given a dozen games or so, he’ll be awesome, I reckon. 5

Calvert-Lewin (for Kean): Got stuck in and made it difficult for the Wolves defenders. 6

Bernard (for Iwobi): An impressive cameo from Bernard. 7

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