Talking points in the aftermath of Wolves vs Everton

Everton secured a second straight win in the Premier League after beating Wolves 3-2 at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.

David Moyes’ side will march into the first international break of the season with six points on the board from three matches. Iliman Ndiaye and Beto got on the scoresheet once again after scoring against Brighton and Mansfield Town in the past week, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored his first goal for the club after signing from Chelsea this summer.

Jack Grealish was spectacular once again, registering another couple of assists to add to the two he got against Brighton last weekend. 

In the end, the scoreline was more flattering for Wolves who were clearly second-best to the Blues all game.

Here are the major talking points from Everton’s 3-2 win over Wolves: 

Astounding technical quality upfront

With Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the pitch, Everton have three highly technical players who lift the floor of the side’s performance to a considerable degree. 

They can fool defenders with smart runs in behind, exchange one-twos and get into dangerous shooting positions, dribble their way out of trouble and create chances, provide assists, and score goals. 

All three players are also willing to run their socks off to help the side defensively and with 19-year-old Tyler Dibling waiting to be integrated into the starting XI, it’s fair to say that the Blues’ attacking quality is off the charts.

Compare this to how sore your eyes got from repeated viewings of Jack Harrison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jesper Lindstrom treating the football like a bomb last season, and the leap that Everton have taken in the final third becomes quite evident.

Jake O’Brien’s performance sums up the need for another right-back

With a little over 30 hours remaining until the transfer window closes on Monday, Everton are still looking for a couple of additions to their squad. The signing of a right-back is imperative, especially after Jake O’Brien’s performance against Wolves emphasised the current gaps in that role.

I actually like O’Brien as a right-back and think he provides a lot of defensive solidity on the flank. However, O’Brien doesn’t have the necessary technical skills or footwork to get out of the opposition press playing so close to the touchline. 

He got dispossessed thrice against Wolves, failed to win a single dribble attempt and had a poor passing accuracy below 60%. O’Brien is also largely hit or miss while going forward and while trying to contribute in the final third with crosses, passes, and runs. 

David Moyes could use some variety with the signing of a more offensive-minded right back. It would allow the side to build play gradually down the flank and look more settled in possession, especially given that they now possess the likes of Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall and Dibling along with Ndiaye, who can flourish and excel through this style of play.

James Tarkoswki has been shaky, Michael Keane quietly solid

There were concerns, albeit valid, surrounding Michael Keane after Jarrad Branthwaite picked up an injury just before the season began. However, Keane has looked quietly solid and dare I say it, has been the best in the backline so far.

Sure, he could’ve probably opted to clear the ball during the second goal Wolves scored yesterday, but the mistake was mostly down to Vitalii Mykolenko losing his runner. Keane has also looked more composed in spraying passes out from the back and has also won balls several times inside the opposition half, leading to quick counters.

James Tarkowski, on the other hand, has looked relatively shaky. He’s been guilty of lapses in concentration every now and then, along with errors in judgement. The first goal Wolves scored yesterday could’ve been preventable had Tarkowski followed Hwang hee-Chan instead of leaving the responsibility to James Garner.

He was also adjudged to have handled the ball against Leeds United, made a bizarre no-look back pass to Jordan Pickford that almost led to a goal against Brighton and got outfoxed by Kaoru Mitoma during a possession battle that he should’ve won. 

International break provides opportunity to improve further

The first international break provides Everton with the opportunity to polish their game further. The two goals Wolves scored yesterday, for example, were preventable, which was pointed out by Moyes post-match.

“We conceded two goals which I don’t think were like us, the type of goals they were. They were a bit easy and not the things we work on and we’re quite good at. So I was disappointed with that, a bit disappointed when we were 3-1 up that we didn’t go and get the fourth goal, which we had three or four opportunities,” said the Everton boss.

The break also gives Moyes the chance to work with some of the signings who missed pre-season for the club and the couple of injured players – Jarrad Branthwaite and Adam Aznou – time to recover.

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