
James Garner was one of the few standout players for Everton in their dismal 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading to an exit in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Accepting the poor first half played by his side at Molineux, Garner says he’s “more than certain” Everton can bounce back from their disappointing cup exit. The 24-year-old was only one of four players with continuity from the Toffees’ previous outing against Liverpool at Anfield with David Moyes making seven changes to his side.
It resulted in a terrible first half where the Blues failed to exert their authority on a hapless Wolves side and instead, conceded a goal at the half-hour mark when Marshall Munetsi converted from close range.
“We weren't at the levels we've shown at the start of the season, especially the first half,” Garner told evertontv. “The first half was not a first half we'd like to remember. Both goals were goals that we could have easily avoided.
“We just weren’t at the races tonight. I think when we brought the subs on, we were a much better team, and we looked like we could maybe go on and get something out of the game.
“But then, obviously, the second goal goes in and then the game's kind of closed from there. But, yes, I know we need to do better.”
Moyes brought on his usual suspects quickly in the second half, but with Wolves defending deep, they couldn’t fashion out an opening. Tolu Arokodare delivered the sucker-punch just minutes before the final whistle, securing the Blues’ exit from one of their two probable chances at silverware this season.
Believing Wolves’ second goal involved a foul on him in the buildup, Garner added, “Their second goal was a foul on me. He's literally stood on my kneecap.
“I'm not going to go down that easy, but the referee’s mentioned something about it. We were chasing the game and then they go and get the second, so it is tough.
“The fact we were so on top in the second half, and like I said, we could have nicked a goal or nicked two goals, gone on to the next round, but I think it all started from the first half.
“We weren't good enough; we allowed them to get into their flow and that should have been us.”
Despite the bitter disappointment that has sunk in following Everton’s exit from the cup competition, it’s tough to overlook Garner’s positive start to the season. He was the standout player for Moyes’s side at Molineux as well and came the closest to restoring parity.
Garner’s free-kick struck the crossbar in the second half and he also brought out a good save off Sam Johnstone from a long-range strike.
“I think I played alright tonight,” he explained. “I still need to keep on improving, keep on doing better. I need to start scoring more, I need to start creating more, as well.
“There's always room for improvement. There's a lot of positives to take, but we just need to put this behind us now and focus on the league, and that's the most important game.”
Everton players will now turn their attention towards West Ham United on Monday night. Returning in front of their home fans at Hill Dickinson Stadium could help the side restore their earlier confidence after consecutive setbacks at Anfield and Molineux over the last few days.
Reader Comments (22)
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2 Posted 24/09/2025 at 19:02:43
3 Posted 24/09/2025 at 19:13:58
4 Posted 24/09/2025 at 19:35:40
To be fair, Garner was one of our better players last night.
5 Posted 24/09/2025 at 19:54:14
Where have we heard that before???
6 Posted 24/09/2025 at 20:14:44
I would question Coleman starting, with two left-backs on the bench? Totally the wrong decision, but Wolves made more changes than us?
7 Posted 24/09/2025 at 20:22:27
8 Posted 24/09/2025 at 20:38:44
The last few games have seen us start on the back foot.
We had better start on the front foot against West Ham if we want to regain any pride.
9 Posted 24/09/2025 at 20:40:19
A decent start to the season doesn't involve losing 3 times in 7 games. We've played well in patches but I honestly can't remember the last time we absolutely dominated a game.
We still give up plenty of chances. Last night was shocking, especially the first half.
10 Posted 24/09/2025 at 21:29:44
I remember it well from school too: 'Must Do Better'.
11 Posted 25/09/2025 at 02:10:48
12 Posted 25/09/2025 at 07:40:51
Meet the new Boss (2.0) -- same as the old Boss (1.0)??
13 Posted 25/09/2025 at 09:17:38
But, and it is only my opinion, what about senior players seeing that some plans are not working and "tweaking" the boss's instructions a little?
Or would that be seen as a no-goer??
14 Posted 25/09/2025 at 10:40:55
And at this rate we'll be using Keane as an emergency centre-forward again, once Branthwaite has returned -- whenever that is.
15 Posted 25/09/2025 at 16:04:55
Sorry, Mr Garner, not listening. We've heard it all before, but it keeps happening... every year! You can beat West Ham 6-0 for all I care. Evertonians deserve a trophy asap.
Last Tuesday at Wolves proved the manager and the squad players don't give a flying fuck.
16 Posted 25/09/2025 at 16:38:52
"We just weren't at the races tonight." Fuck off, Garner.
There is zero excuse at all.
For a professional footballer at this prestigious and elite standard to not be in the mood, to not be chomping on the bit and get out there and show what he is about is disgraceful.
I played at an okay amateur level. If someone didn't put a shift in, they were chewed out by the captain, and if still no effort, the players. You didn't dare let your mates down for effort.
All of them, including Saturday's tossers, should parade in front of the fans at the next home game, 20 minutes before kick off, with "I let you down" emblazoned on tee-shirts. I include Moyes and all the staff. Then no one allowed back into the dressing room at half-time and sit down like naughty schoolboys.
Banned from any use of phones or social media. Clean the U21s boots. In every day at the training ground for a month for 12 hours. Doing menial tasks outside of whatever Moyes calls training. Get a minute glimpse of what putting a shift in means. Then next time when a cup comes around, they might, just might 'be at the races'.
17 Posted 25/09/2025 at 17:00:23
18 Posted 25/09/2025 at 17:20:21
I know Escape rooms.
No, we'd never see them again. For a few that wouldn't be such a bad thing.
They clearly aren't arsed enough to put in 45 minutes of hard work.
And there is no excuse. Except if you are a pro footballer, it seems.
Training is a breeze. If you watch it on YouTube, and they do a half day.
Whoop woo! God forbid they break a sweat, day-in & day-out.
Ok Jimmy. I will now put my "Winning Management the Brian Clough Way" book back on the dusty shelf and get out Woke. The Footballers Friend.
Now where's the cotton wool sheets?
19 Posted 25/09/2025 at 21:25:25
20 Posted 25/09/2025 at 21:46:18
21 Posted 26/09/2025 at 11:49:59
What a load of bollocks.
22 Posted 26/09/2025 at 18:01:10
Another failed Man Utd player telling us we must and will do better. Fuck all has changed for years.
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1 Posted 24/09/2025 at 18:46:04
Every last one of them was shite. The trouble is defeat doesn't hurt our players enough... and this isn't a new thing; this has gone on for donkey's years.
After all Garner has said there, I didn't see an apology to the magnificent support (yet again), you know the lads and girls who most would have had to have taken time off work to go and see that lot put in another shitshow.
Moyes should come out and apologise to the fans actually but I won't hold my breath.
Our players, and this has gone on for years dont give a flying one about our support. In fact, reading what Garner said, there it was: all me, me, me.
I'll tell you, James, you're not really that good, not at all, but because the manager blew smoke up your arse a couple of weeks back you all of a sudden think you're Zidane.
Sick of you treating our support with contempt, you dont deserve us.