Everton exit Carabao Cup after disappointing defeat at Wolves

Everton’s Carabao Cup hopes were ended on Tuesday night as Wolves claimed a rare 2-0 victory at Molineux.

Goals from Marshall Munetsi and Tolu Arokodare gave the Premier League basement side the edge, despite Everton showing periods of control, and now the Blues must quickly refocus on their league campaign.

Wolves midfielder Munetsi struck midway through the opening half after The Toffees shot-stopper Mark Travers parried away a well-worked volley from Jhon Arias. Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone had already saved Michael Keane’s header, while James Garner’s second-half free kick rattled the bar as Everton looked for an equaliser.

The Toffees’ star man at the moment, Jack Grealish, came off the bench and almost set up an equaliser for Jake O’Brien, but striker Arokodare dinked the ball over Travers to secure a second goal for Wolves with three minutes left on the clock—a first goal for the Nigerian striker.

David Moyes reflected on the loss, insisting that Wolves were not superior for long periods:

“It was a 0-0 game in the first half, we gave away a diabolical goal. Wolves were not better than us. They were for the first 10 minutes or so but the game was 0-0. We gave away a terrible first goal which altered things. We probably dominated most of the second half but couldn’t find a way of getting a goal.”

Moyes made seven changes, but the underwhelming Thierno Barry, who the Blues signed from Spanish side Villarreal in the summer, failed to take his chance, with the £27m signing’s biggest impact a booking for snappishly kicking the ball into the advertising hoardings.

While the Carabao Cup disappointment will sting, Everton must quickly turn their attention back to the Premier League. The Toffees host David Moyes’ former club West Ham on Monday before welcoming Crystal Palace on 5th October. Moyes will be hoping his squad can quickly regain form and build momentum after the setback.