Wolves 2 Everton 2 – Report and pictures

Richarlison gave Everton an early lead when stabbing home from a free kick.

The game changed five minutes before the break when Phil Jagielka was sent off for fouling Diogo Jota – and Ruben Neves curled home the resulting free kick.

Richarlison curled home again on 67 minutes but Wolves earned a point when Raul Jimenez headed home Neves' cross.

Analysis

Reality; noun – the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.

This opening day fixture promised to offer an ideal litmus test for what Wolves' limitations might look like this season, writes Tim Spiers at Molineux.

It ended up being both a reality check and an encouraging afternoon.

We learned that Wolves' fighting spirit, which earned them so many points on their way to the title last year, is in fine fettle.

We also learned of some rarely seen weaknesses (the defence were fragile with Willy Boly and Conor Coady making uncharacteristic errors, while there was a lack of spark from the usually-electric Diogo Jota and Helder Costa) and some new strengths (Raul Jimenez looks like he could make an impact in the top flight and Jonny Castro Otto looked sound defensively).

Some things change, some things stay the same and the latter can apply to the continued brilliance of Ruben Neves who starred with a goal (from outside the box of course) and an assist. His stock could be about to soar in front of the watching world.

In front of Molineux's biggest crowd since 1981 of 31,231 it was a special occasion and the game lived up to its billing with two quality teams going toe to toe, although Wolves needed the helping hand of a Phil Jagielka red card to really get going.

The step up in quality from the Championship was there for all to see – and the fact Wolves had to dig so deep for a point against 10 men shows you the task they face in the next nine months.

Overall it was a cracking encounter and a heartily earned point for Nuno's team. A draw against a very decent Everton team after falling behind twice is to be commended.

Full judgement on what Wolves can do this season will be passed in the coming weeks. But for now...it's good to be back.

Match report

For Wolves' first Premier League match for six years the atmosphere at a packed Molineux – complete with gold and black flags for fans to wave – was electric.

Nuno named the team that started the second half of their 2-1 win over Villarreal last weekend, meaning Ryan Bennett got the nod over Romain Saiss at centre half.

Ivan Cavaleiro missed out with a knock and as expected new signings Leander Dendoncker and Adama Traore weren't deemed fit enough for a place in the squad.

Everton's trio of new boys didn't feature either, with Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Bernard, who all signed on deadline day, missing out. Ex-Watford man Richarlison made his debut for Marco Silva's first match in charge.

Approaching kick off you could sense the excitement in the air – and when the teams walked out onto the pitch to a spectacular fireworks display it ramped up to fever pitch.

The noise for Hi Ho Silver Lining and a humongous pre-match roar were spine tingling and comparable to huge season-deciding games at this stadium such as play-off semi finals or big cup ties.

In front of VIPs such as Fosun boss Guo Guangchang and England manager Gareth Southgate, it certainly had a big-game feel.

But after a confident start from nerveless Wolves in which they got on the front foot and sprayed it around nicely, it soon went flat at Molineux as an early reality check took hold.

Shortly after a Willy Boly mis-kick allowed Seamus Coleman a free shot which Rui Patricio easily saved, Everton burst the Wolves bubble with the opening goal.

A Leighton Baines free kick from the left wasn't dealt with by Boly who couldn't get his head on it and Richarlison stabbed home from close range.

The organised Toffees then sat deep with Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye superbly protecting the back line and allowing Helder Costa and Diogo Jota minimal space to express themselves.

Neves and Moutinho were seeing plenty of the ball and moving it briskly enough to Matt Doherty and the functional and impressive Jonny Castro Otto, but there was a lack of incisiveness in the the final third, with only a Moutinho snap-shot and a run full of gumption from Jimenez before a shot into the side netting all they had to show for their efforts.

Then five minutes before half time came the game's pivotal moment – and Wolves were handed a lifeline which they grabbed with both hands.

Phil Jagielka's heavy touch saw the ball roll towards Jota just outside the box – he slid in on the Portuguese forward with the studs up on his right boot and despite winning the ball took out Jota. Referee Pawson awarded what looked like a harsh red card, but Wolves weren't complaining.

They took full advantage in some style. With one swing of his right boot the mercurial Neves took the roof off an ecstatic Molineux with a perfect 20-yard free kick into the top corner.

It was his seventh goal in a Wolves shirt...and they've still all come from outside the box.

As the heavens opened at the start of the second half (rain macs were doing a roaring trade in the reopened Graham Hughes stand) 10-man Everton's defensive intentions were clear.

A mini break here and an attempted through ball there was all they could muster.

Everton attacked sporadically and another Boly mistake allowed Cenk Tosun to advance to 20 yards out – his shot towards the bottom corner was smartly pushed wide by Patricio.

Then Raul Jimenez broke clear at the other end and had a great sight of goal, but put his shot too close to Jordan Pickford who blocked.

Wolves weren't making their man advantage count and Everton looking increasingly attack-minded.

Their positive approach paid off on 67 minutes when the excellent Richarlison made it 2-1. Slack Wolves didn't deal with a throw near their own box and the Toffees worked the ball into the box for the Brazilian to curl home.

Nuno reacted by replacing Costa with Leo Bonatini and then the functional Jonny Castro Otto with youngster Ruben Vinagre, to add some vigour on the overlap.

It was attack versus defence with Everton having dug their trench just outside the Wolves penalty area.

Wolves were searching for that one golden chance – and when it came Jimenez made no mistake. Neves looked up and sent a perfect cross into the corridor of uncertainty where the Mexican peeled off his man to head home.

Wolves pressed for a winner but a killer final pass was lacking and despite a frenetic finish it ended 2-2.

Key moments

17 – GOAL – RICHARLISON stabs home after Boly can't deal with a Baines free kick from the left.

40 – Jagielka's touch is heavy and he slides in on Jota, studs-up. The defender wins the ball – but Craig Pawson sends him off.

44 – GOAL – And from the resulting 20-yard free kick NEVES curls beautifully into the top corner.

60 – Jimenez with a big chance but Pickford blocks his shot

67 – GOAL – Everton work the ball around Wolves' back line from a throw and RICHARLISON picks his spot.

80 – GOAL – Neves finds JIMENEZ who heads home from close range

Teams

Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady (c), Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho (Gibbs-White, 84), Otto (Vinagre, 76); Costa (Bonatini, 67), Jimenez, Jota. Subs: Ruddy, Hause, Saiss, Enobakhare.

Goals: Neves (44), Jimenez (80)

Everton (4-3-3: Pickford; Coleman, Jagielka (c), Keane, Baines; Gueye, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson (Holgate, 43); Walcott, Tosun, Richarlison. Subs: Stekelenburg, Digne, Davies, Ramirez, Niasse, Calvert-Lewin.

Goals: Richarlison (17, 67)

Red card: Jagielka (40)

Attendance: 31,321

Referee: Craig Pawson (Sheffield)

Next up

A short trip to face the only other Midlands team in the top flight this season, Leicester City, next Saturday at 3pm.