Everton beat Wolves 1-0 at Goodison Park to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with substitute Charly Alcaraz scoring the decisive goal late on.
Alcaraz had been on the pitch for only three minutes when he curled a powerful effort into the net from inside the area in the 80th minute. The strike extended Everton’s unbeaten start to the season and was only his second goal for the club.
David Moyes’ side were deserved winners against a much-changed Wolves team, who made nine alterations from their league victory at Sheffield United.
Wolves’ goalscoring hero in that match, Raul Jimenez, was named in the starting line-up but was forced off midway through the first half with an injury.
Everton had looked the more threatening side and came close to taking the lead shortly before the interval. Wolves debutant Joao Virginia produced an outstanding close-range save to keep out Thierno Barry’s header.
Jordan Pickford then denied Jimenez’s replacement, Adam Armstrong, early in the second half as Wolves registered their first shot on target. Virginia also kept out Everton substitute Brennan Johnson before Alcaraz finally found a way past him.
The result keeps Everton in contention for their first silverware since 1995, while the late winner brought visible delight to watching UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, both Everton fans.
