Everton secured their second win on the trot after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday.
The Toffees were brilliant attacking-wise and goals from Beto (7’), Iliman Ndiaye (33’) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (55’) secured all three points for David Moyes’ side. While Wolves levelled proceedings through Hwang Hee-Chan (21’) and later threatened to share spoils after Rodrigo Gomes (79’) scored, they were clearly second-best in this game.
Jack Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, and Ndiaye ran the show for the Blues, who are heading into the first international break of the season on six points after three matches.
Here are the player ratings from the game:
Jordan Pickford - 6
There’s very little that Pickford could have done for the two goals Everton conceded at Molineux Stadium. England’s number 1 had a good game otherwise. He was quick to come off his line to snuff out half-chances and also cleared and distributed the ball well from his own box.
Jake O’Brien - 5
Jake O’Brien looked sloppy in the first half as he was not comfortable enough playing close to the touchline to escape the Wolves pressure. Everton lost possession a few times down the right flank with O’Brien on the ball. Had a more conservative second-half and used his strength and height well to get rid of danger when Wolves pressed forward.
James Tarkowski - 6
James Tarkowski could’ve done a lot better for the first Wolves goal. He passed Hwang-hee Chan to anticipate the cross from Munetsi, leaving the task to the man behind, but his teammate was nowhere close to the Wolves striker. Had a strong game besides that moment and was stubborn in his duels with the opposition attackers.
Michael Keane - 7
Keane looked the better of the two central defenders and produced an air of authority when dealing with challenges with Wolves upping the ante. He was also more responsible in building from the back and did well to leave the header as Beto tucked it home early on.
Vitalii Mykolenko - 5
Vitalii Mykolenko, making his first league start this season after a short injury-ridden spell on the sidelines, had a mixed game. He was wonderful going forward and it was his excellent cross to find Grealish at the back post that led to the first goal. The left-back also won the ball from a high Wolves turnover in their own half that led to the third goal for the Blues.
However, Mykolenko’s defensive game was lacking today. He was caught sleeping for the second Wolves goal and failed to anticipate Rodrigo Gomes’ run just in front of him. Mykolenko was also lucky to escape with a foul after attracting Munetsi’s attention in his own box.
James Garner - 6
It was a scrappy display from Garner in the middle of the park and he showed maturity in the second half with Everton under pressure on a few occasions. Put in an excellent sliding tackle in the box to block Hugo Bueno’s cross in the second half.
Idrissa Gueye (off for Tim Iroegbunam at 76’) - 7
While he had some sloppy touches that led to Wolves countering in the first half, Idrissa Gueye had a more composed performance in the second half. He pressed high, won several balls before feeding the likes of Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish in the final third.
Everton lost control in the middle when Gueye came off, which just goes to show his importance to the side.
Iliman Ndiaye (off for Seamus Coleman at 90+5’) - 8
It was a lively display from Ndiaye on the right flank, who used his supreme technique and flair to get out of difficult situations time and time again. Was at the back-post to convert Dewsbury-Hall’s cross and score the go-ahead goal for his side.
It was the second league goal for Ndiaye in as many matches and he also showed a lot of intensity while performing defensive duties and covering the opposition full-back.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 9
The newcomer dropped his best performance in a Blue shirt and stole the show at Molineux Stadium. His first goal for Everton, a shot that rocketed past Jose Sa at the near post from an acute angle, provided the side with a two-goal cushion in the second half.
Dewsbury-Hall also set up the second goal for the Blues after lovely combinations with Grealish at the edge of the box before firing in the cross to find Ndiaye at the far post.
When Everton were under pressure in the closing stages, the midfielder won fouls with his clever touches and turns to relieve the pressure off his side.
Jack Grealish (off for Carlos Alcaraz at 88’) - 9
Jack Grealish’s game can be summed up in the words of his manager when Moyes said immediately after the game, “The biggest compliment I can say about Jack is that he’s even better than I thought he was.”
In his short career with the Toffees so far, Grealish hasn’t had a single bad game. He was majestic once again at Molineux. It was Grealish’s mazy run that forced the corner, which led to the opening goal after he set Beto up with a cushioned header at the far post.
Grealish then grabbed his fourth assist in two league starts after playing a chipped pass to Dewsbury-Hall. In just three matches in the league so far, Grealish has racked up four assists - twice the number that Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom registered for Everton combined across all competitions last season.
Beto (off for Thierno Barry at 76’) - 7
Got the first goal of the afternoon with a simple finish but commanded the box well to head the ball home on his return to the starting lineup. Beto also made a clever dummy to let the ball reach Ndiaye for the second goal. He also showed better holdup play and beat the attention of his markers more often than in his last start against Leeds United.
Substitutions
Thierno Barry - 6
Barry was a willing runner after coming off the bench and looked lively.
Tim Iroegbunam - 5
Iroegbunam struggled to establish authority with Wolves dictating play late in the game.
Carlos Alcaraz - N/A
Alcaraz lost the ball to Rodrigo Gomes late in the game but the mistake went unpunished.
Seamus Coleman - N/A
Had little to do after coming on for the final minute of added time.
Reader Comments (41)
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2 Posted 30/08/2025 at 18:35:46
Wasn't enough time for him to anticipate the balls reaching the Wolves attackers.
3 Posted 30/08/2025 at 18:40:21
4 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:05:49
He was certainly mainly to blame for their second, but otherwise did what Myko does, a bit ungainly but tenacious enough to hold his end up.
The Grealish KDH Ilmian axis is a real threat and I wondered during the live forum if the latter might not be a good option as a striker- he does have a nose for a goal, then Dibling on the right. That would be the most attacking threat I'll have seen since. well a long time, maybe Lukaku peak days.
5 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:12:15
Former awful (both goals, imo), latter was excellent
6 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:22:34
7 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:32:53
Picks had one of his worst games for me. His kicking was awful and he parried the ball straight back at the opposition twice. Also he can see the whole picture and should have marshaled his defenders better for both of their goals.
Garner was everywhere putting tackles in and linking play well.
I thought both full backs were shaky.
Overall an excellent team performance with some excellent football at times only undermined by some slack defense.
8 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:35:38
On the other hand I thought the defence was pretty uniformly poor, with Keane the best of them. It appears that the energy and ingenuity of the midfield / attack were entirely missing and everyone was half asleep. During the final shot from Wolves which just, missed the post was like looking at a bunch of statues all standing off. Some "Wake Up!" training is needed all round.
9 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:38:31
Tarks is a weird one. Usually solid. I know he is coming back off injury but remember he was also terrible the first month of last season. Maybe it takes a while for him to snap out of summer holiday mode.
10 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:47:52
My memory is poor but I seem to remember one constant..
JB injured this time last year and this? I may be wrong? (Can’t be bothered to check?) lol
11 Posted 30/08/2025 at 19:50:21
Maybe he doesn’t know how to defend in a team playing on the front foot?
In his defence,. It’s a very odd defence he’s working with right now
12 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:04:04
Both mentioned will get an England call up as they are not flash in the pan players when their strengths are exploited.
With regards to Jack, whose the better Manager, Moyes or Pepe ? No doubt the latters credentials will be challenged by Citeh fans if Jack keeps getting even more assists.
13 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:13:48
Jake had a poor game IMO, after I’ve been one of his staunchest supporters! Lost the ball quite a few times and his limitations were exposed.
Grealish and Ndiaye were imperious, I thought Beto had one of his best games and he held the ball up pretty well and linked play up, was very unlocks that a couple of nice flicks didn’t quite come off.
Bit nervy at the end but we really deserved that win.
14 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:30:02
Pickford
Dibling, OBrien, Tarks, Keane, Ndayie
Gana
Grealish KDH Alcaraz
Beto
15 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:30:31
16 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:46:03
17 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:48:33
18 Posted 30/08/2025 at 20:50:43
19 Posted 30/08/2025 at 21:33:22
I agree with Moyes that Grealish over successfully beat my hopes for him. I would have thought it would take hime longer to be that great player for us.
And yes, Ndiaye could be a fine striker. Totally agree!!. Dewsbury-Hall also a great player, can be an excellent box to box for us.
With Garner an Gueye we have the best midfield in my memory.
Off course we played against the bottom team, and they scored twice against us.
I do think we are quite good in the middle. Up front is showing improvement, but could be better.
But we have to better the defence a bit if we are to be among top 8. The good thing is I believe we have very good players in defence. They just have to improve. We could also need a proper RB, and a good defensive midfielder/central defence.
I guess someone will enter before the window closes.
Would also like to see some good set pice coaches. They make miracles for Arsenal.
20 Posted 30/08/2025 at 21:38:32
21 Posted 30/08/2025 at 21:44:37
22 Posted 30/08/2025 at 21:56:43
23 Posted 30/08/2025 at 22:28:24
There is so much to like today, but that is what we are missing now, if only...
24 Posted 30/08/2025 at 23:17:45
25 Posted 30/08/2025 at 23:55:46
Garner had a great game I thought. OBrien isn’t a wing back, Beto despite his goal doesn’t read the play, Barry doesn’t yet seem too either.
Tarks seems to be out of form and was covered a lot by Keane.
Love to see IN as either a ten or CF & Dibling on the right.
I felt that our defence were not used to the team having a high press and this left gaps for the counter attack.
26 Posted 31/08/2025 at 00:38:21
I saw Grealish belate Beto a few times when he wasn’t available or in front of his man.
Hopefully he listens and learns
27 Posted 31/08/2025 at 02:36:33
28 Posted 31/08/2025 at 06:41:12
We haven't seen enough of that type of player as an Everton fan over the last 20 years or so, enjoy it, embrace it, you are watching a top top football player at this club.
The signing of Jack and Dewsbury-Hall has given that midfield a stardust that simple wasn't there last season, with the notable exception of the truly wonderful Illiman Ndiaye and the maverack slightly less dynamic Charly Alcaraz.
This time last year we were trying to convince ourselves that there was more to come from Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, let it all sink in folks.
The area we are lacking in is the fullbacks without doubt and as someone tantalizingly put it, imagine Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman in their pomp roaming up and down those flanks.
Myko has never been in the Baines or even Lucas Digne mould, he's not got that kind of cultured gliding run or wand of a left foot that seems to whip the ball in when crossing.
He's relatively ok in one v one duels but being caught napping like on the second goal yesterday has become a familiar trait.
Be interesting to see if we do anymore business before tomorrow deadline or we spend the next three months working on the January window.
29 Posted 31/08/2025 at 07:51:01
Dibling and Barry will take time to settle in but I am sure that they too will be major assets to the team.
The defence is now the main focus for change. As we now have a more attack minded midfield the defence is finding itself more exposed as we saw yesterday.
Everyone agrees that a defensive midfielder and a right back are essential.
Not sure if those positions will be resolved in this window as time is running short.
Some lovely interplay between KDH, Grealish and Ndiaye yesterday. Reminded me of the School of Science in the Catterick days. Pure class. The Everton of old.
30 Posted 31/08/2025 at 07:53:17
The full back situation needs to be resolved asap. Myko, as you say, is decent but nothing more. Hopefully, the new kid can push him to improve. Right Back is obviously the weakest link. Jake does a Herculean task but yesterday showed his limitations ie losing the ball regularly, being caught out of position, not getting an early pass in etc…..
The glaring absence in defence is Branthwaite. Without his height, speed, intelligence, natural ability etc… we are shaky at the back and crap bringing the ball out.
Jared is the real leader of the pack. I love Tarkowski but maybe now it’s time to start working on an O’Brien-Branthwaite partnership, alongside two good fullbacks.
I haven’t felt this good about Everton for god only knows how long.
Moyesy missed a beat with the late substitutions. The last 25 mins some of our players were dead on their feet and Wolves took advantage of that and almost robbed us of three points.
31 Posted 31/08/2025 at 08:01:28
Garner has improved vastly. His rating is way off on here.
He knows how to feed Beto and believes in him. He is helping him learn.
Gaye is actually one touch passing.
Illy has also regained a sparkle he seemed to lose after his injury.
I quite openly stated on here Grealish would be an outstanding asset. One of the best players in the game right now.
As for the performances id say KDH was a 7 he was knocked off the ball too easily 1st half and gave it away a couple of times. He improved as the game went on and will only get better. Garner had one of his best games in a blue shirt. That rating is way off.
Jordan lost his bearings for the first.
Liam @3 is spot on.
Tarks I said before, he is terrible at the start of a season and should be benched for the first month or so lol.
Keane has been solid and reliable and the best defender of the fresh season so far.
The one thing lacking in our CM and Myk is following and tracking runs of the attackers. Myk has no clue who is coming in behind him and thats his job.
Gaye needs to do more to help the defence esp with Tarks vulnerability. Garner too although recently he has improved.
COYB
32 Posted 31/08/2025 at 08:23:19
33 Posted 31/08/2025 at 08:33:58
34 Posted 31/08/2025 at 08:45:55
35 Posted 31/08/2025 at 10:39:19
36 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:23:25
People have a misconception about Moyes and negative football.
When he had that squad around 2006 to 2009, built by himself I must state, we played some magnificent football in that period, who can forget the 7-1 dismantling of Sunderland or that wonderful team goal against Larissa in Europe?
37 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:30:15
38 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:44:58
39 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:52:09
As many have mentioned a pomp Coleman and Baines in this side with a younger Gana and a reliable goalscorer would be some team.
If only we could have got it right player wise when Moshiri first came in.
40 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:54:52
However, I didn't agree with the original comment. Perhaps give players more than 2 games to settle into our way.
41 Posted 31/08/2025 at 15:26:16
As the saying goes, "First Impressions Last". I agree with Jim. Once he had stabilised the club (6 seasons with an average finish of 15th) we started to play some decent football.
BTW - not sure I go as overboard to say Grealish, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall are the new Trinity. Good maybe, but Ball, Harvey and Kendall are in a different class to almost all midfield trios.
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1 Posted 30/08/2025 at 18:34:08