Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 Everton
I suppose there’s rarely a bad time to score a goal (although ‘total football’ aficionados of the great Holland side of 1974 would suggest otherwise).
What few can argue with, however, is that to open the scoring at the end of the first half seldom leaves your opponents the time to respond before the break.
So, for Wolves to score twice either side of half-time was always going to deflate Everton and set the hosts on their way to a convincing Premier League success.
That is exactly what they enjoyed and, in truth, from the moment Leander Dendoncker headed home the second immediately after the restart, the result was never in doubt.
Highlights of the game
After a fairly miserable week for both clubs – just one point gained out of a possible 12 collectively – I admitted that this Sunday lunchtime clash may struggle to throw up too many Premier League 2020 highlights.
For most of the first half I was proved right.
Then, just as fans and players alike were waiting for Anthony Taylor’s half-time whistle, debutant Daniel Podence had too much skill for Lucas Digne, who brought him down in the penalty area, and Raul Jimenez calmly sidefooted the spot-kick beyond Jordan Pickford.
Next, almost immediately after Taylor’s whistle signalled the start of the second period, Pedro Neto’s cross found Dendoncker and he guided his header into the far corner.
Game over as Everton, one of a number of top-flight sides who have nothing to play for but pride in the remaining matches of the campaign, put up little resistance.
Wolves, on the other hand, are very much in contention to secure a European spot for a second successive season and, 16 minutes from time, rounded off a victory which takes them back up to sixth spot.
It was a goal made by Ruben Neves – so often the catalyst in these parts – whose stunning cross-field pass found substitute Diogo Jota and the frontman pulled away from Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman, took the ball on his chest and rifled it past Pickford.
After losing their last two Premier League games, more defeats than they had sustained in their previous 11 matches, Wolves were back to winning ways.
Indeed, only the width of the crossbar denied another sub, Adama Traore, a fourth goal when it seemed easier to score.
A win as comfortable as the scoreline suggests and another accurate reflection of the SBOBET Premier League 2020 betting odds.
While Wolves march on (the loss of the injured Neto was the only downside of their afternoon), Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti will not – nor will the fans – accept this level of performance for long.
Yes, it must be difficult to get motivated for a game when you have effectively little to play for and have neither encouragement nor criticism to respond to in a virtually empty stadium.
But Everton, one of the founder members of the Football League along with Wolves back in 1888, and their supporters deserve better.
Key statistics
This was Wolves’ first Premier League home victory against Everton since May 2004 (drawn three, lost one).
They are unbeaten in 17 of their last 19 matches against the teams in the bottom half of the table.
Jiménez has been directly involved in 35 goals in all competitions for Wolves this season (25 goals, 10 assists); no other top-flight player has had a hand in more (level with Mo Salah).
Jiménez has scored with all six of the penalties he has taken in the Premier League; only Yaya Touré (11), Dimitar Berbatov (9), Jan Molby (7) and Rickie Lambert (7) have a better 100% ratio in the competition.
Only newly crowned champions Liverpool (two) have dropped as few Premier League points from a winning position than Wolves themselves this season.
Jota has scored five goals for Wolves after coming on as a substitute in all competitions this season – more than any other Premier League player.
Everton have won just two of their last eight Premier League away games (drawn one, lost five), with both victories coming against sides in the relegation zone.
They have triumphed in just three of their last 32 Premier League away matches versus top-half teams (drawn 10, lost 19).
Everton have only kept one clean sheet in their last 17 away games in the Premier League, conceding at least two goals in 10 of these fixtures.
What’s next?
The end of the domestic season is drawing ever closer for Wolves.
Next up for them is a trip to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche’s Burnley on Wednesday evening (July 15).
They then host Crystal Palace on July 20 in their final home league match of the campaign.
Everton host basement battlers Aston Villa in midweek before visiting Sheffield United (also on July 20).
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