Wolves will be hoping for a different result against Everton than the one that unfolded at Goodison Park earlier in the season.
The Old Gold last faced the Toffees in December, a fixture that turned out to be Gary O’Neil’s penultimate away game in charge of Wolves.
As Everton beat Wolves 4-0 at Goodison, it’s no surprise that O’Neil was dismissed weeks later, with great change happening at both clubs since the eventful clash.
Both O’Neil and Sean Dyche are gone, with Vitor Pereira and David Moyes now ready to go head-to-head in the return fixture at Molineux.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Wolves’ leadership was lacking against Everton, with the 4-0 defeat putting O’Neil’s future under immense pressure.
What’s concerning about the thrashing back in December is that the Toffees were nowhere near their best and now, the Merseyside giants are ticking under Moyes.
If there was one positive that came from Wolves’ heavy defeat at Goodison, it’s that O’Neil was able to warn Pereira about one thing that contributed to the humiliating loss.
O’Neil said his Wolves squad couldn’t cope with Everton, singling out the physicality of Dyche’s side as one thing his players couldn’t compete with.
“We weren’t able to cope with Everton’s physicality, long balls, balls in the box, just unable to cope. An awful lot of work to be done to give the group a better chance in games coming next,” the former manager said.
Pereira will be cautious of Everton’s strengths as the Portuguese coach prepares to face a team in searing form and most concerningly, a team that knows how to get the better of the current squad.
Though Wolves certainly struggled with Everton’s physicality in December, it’s an area that the Old Gold have improved under the new manager to some extent.
Wolves’ strength in duels was noticed against Aston Villa as Pereira’s squad gave their Midlands rivals little chance to play their way, something that must continue when Everton visit Molineux.
Despite having beaten Wolves 4-0 earlier in the season, Everton will approach Molineux with caution, given their record at the ground over the years.
The two clubs have met just 10 times in the West Midlands in Premier League history, with the Toffees sporting a win rate of just 20%.
Wolves’ record vs Everton at Molineux10 played4 wins4 draws2 defeats
Premier League matches only
Pereira will be hoping for a repeat of the last time Everton visited, as O’Neil’s side secured a 3-0 win over the Toffees thanks to goals from Max Kilman, Craig Dawson and unsurprisingly, Matheus Cunha.
Wolves will have to find a way to win without Cunha this time, as the Brazilian will serve the first of his three-man suspension.
