Wolves Take All Three Points in Gritty Molineux Affair
Look, Molineux was buzzing for this one, and Wolves delivered. They beat Everton 2-1 on a blustery Saturday afternoon in March 2026, a result that felt earned, not given. Matheus Cunha, who's been a force all season, bagged the opener in the 34th minute, a tidy finish after some lovely link-up play with Pedro Neto. Everton, to their credit, didn't fold. Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled them level just before halftime, nodding in a corner from Dwight McNeil. But it was Rayan Aït-Nouri, pushing forward from left-back, who sealed it for Wolves in the 71st, smashing home a rebound after Jordan Pickford parried a powerful Neto shot.
You could feel the tension in the air, especially after Everton's equalizer. For a minute there, it looked like the Toffees might snatch a point, maybe even nick all three. But Gary O'Neil's side showed some real resolve. They didn't let that late first-half goal rattle them, which is a sign of a team that's grown up a lot over the last year. They came out in the second half with a clear plan and executed it.
Tactical Chess Match: O'Neil Outmaneuvers Dyche
This wasn't a free-flowing football spectacle, but it was a fascinating tactical battle. Gary O'Neil set Wolves up in his familiar 4-3-3, with Mario Lemina anchoring the midfield and João Gomes and Tommy Doyle providing the engine. Their objective was clear: win the midfield battle and get Neto and Cunha running at Everton's backline. And it worked, especially in the first half-hour. They controlled possession for 56% of the game, a figure that felt higher given their dominance in key areas.
Sean Dyche, on the other hand, stuck to his 4-4-2. He wanted to be compact, frustrate Wolves, and hit them on the counter or from set pieces. And for a spell, it looked like it might pay off. Calvert-Lewin’s goal was a classic Dyche effort: well-worked, direct, and capitalizing on a momentary lapse in concentration from the Wolves defense. But the issue for Everton was creativity. Beyond McNeil's delivery, they struggled to carve out genuine chances from open play. They managed only 3 shots on target all game, compared to Wolves' 8.
Here's the thing: O'Neil made a smart adjustment around the 60-minute mark, bringing on Pablo Sarabia for Doyle. It shifted Wolves to a more attacking 4-2-3-1, pushing Sarabia into a more advanced role behind Cunha. That injection of fresh legs and attacking intent paid dividends almost immediately, culminating in Aït-Nouri's winner. Dyche responded by bringing on Beto for James Garner in the 75th minute, going for two up top, but by then, Wolves had their tails up and shut the door.
Cunha and Aït-Nouri Shine for Wolves
Man of the Match has to go to Matheus Cunha. He was absolutely everywhere. Not only did he score the opener, his movement off the ball was a constant headache for Michael Keane and James Tarkowski. He completed 82% of his passes and was fouled 4 times, showing how much Everton struggled to contain him legally. And that goal was pure class, a proof of his finishing ability under pressure.
But let's talk about Rayan Aït-Nouri. That kid's got some serious engine. He's always been good going forward, but his defensive work has improved massively. And to pop up with the winner, driving into the box like a winger, shows he's got the hunger. Pedro Neto also deserves a shout; his assist for Cunha and the shot that led to Aït-Nouri's goal highlight his influence on the left wing. He completed 5 dribbles, leaving Seamus Coleman scrambling on more than one occasion.
For Everton, Dwight McNeil was probably their brightest spark. His delivery from set pieces is consistently dangerous, and his corner for Calvert-Lewin's goal was inch-perfect. Calvert-Lewin himself put in a shift, battling against Craig Dawson and Max Kilman, and got his reward with the equalizer. But overall, it felt like too many Everton players were just a bit off their game, struggling to impose themselves.
What It Means: Wolves Eye Europe, Everton Look Over Their Shoulder
This win is massive for Wolves. It pushes them up to 7th in the Premier League table, just two points behind Manchester United in 6th. With 42 points now, they're firmly in the conversation for European qualification, something few predicted at the start of the season. O'Neil has built a resilient, exciting team that's capable of beating anyone on their day. They've now won three of their last four league matches, scoring 8 goals in that span.
For Everton, though, it’s a different story. This loss leaves them in 15th place, only four points clear of the relegation zone. They've now lost three league games in a row, a worrying run of form. Dyche needs to find a way to inject some life into this team, and fast. They've only scored 28 goals in 29 league matches, a statistic that screams trouble. Their upcoming fixtures against Brighton and Chelsea won't make things any easier.
Wolves, meanwhile, will travel to Fulham next weekend, a team they beat 1-0 earlier in the season. Then they host Nottingham Forest, another winnable home game. The momentum is clearly with Wolves, and they'll fancy their chances of continuing their push up the table.
Prediction: Wolves will secure a Europa Conference League spot, finishing 7th, while Everton will narrowly avoid relegation, ending up 16th.