Richarlison + Marco Silva = Goals: Five things learned from Wolves 2-2 Everton

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Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton recorded the first draw of the new Premier League season, as their match finished 2-2 at Molineux.

Richarlison gave the Toffees the lead midway through the first half but then Phil Jagielka was sent off just before half-time, with Ruben Neves scoring the resulting free-kick.

The Brazilian got his second after half-time which had looked to earn the 10 men of Everton all three points but Raul Jimenez’s header earned Wolves a draw.

Here are five things we learned from Saturday’s final Premier League match.

1. Richarlison + Marco Silva = Goals

Richarlison enjoyed a good start to Premier League life last season, scoring five goals in his first 12 games.

But, like Watford, he fell away in the second half of the season owing to playing a straight year of football having joined the club on the back of a full campaign in Brazil.

What followed was 53 shots without finding the net for the Hornets as Marco Silva was sacked and Watford went on to finish 14th.

And it appears Silva may have been key to his success at Watford, with the Brazilian scoring with his very first shot as an Everton player.

A second-half goal also brought Richarlison’s total Premier League tally to seven, all of which have been scored under Silva.

2. Wolves won’t be the exciting team many expected

Wolves were brilliant in the Championship under Nuno Espirito Santo and following their recruitment this summer, some had tipped the newly-promoted side to do well in the Premier League and even push for a top-half finish.

But against Everton, Wolves showed they will not be as expressive as they were last season in order to secure the required points for Premier League survival – which will be the main goal.

When the sides were equal in men, Everton controlled the game and Wolves’ goalscoring opportunities were few and far between in the first half. But after Jagielka’s red card, Wolves failed to pressure their opponents, allowing them to compose themselves after half-time.

Wolves were punished once again by Richarlison as a result, though Jimenez secured a draw with a goal 10 minutes from time.

Should Wolves want to push for more than 17th this season, they need to give the forward more support in the remaining 37 games.

3. Everton late transfers prove vital

Just like he did Gary Cahill last season, Craig Pawson has sent off an English centre-back on the first weekend of the new Premier League campaign.

This time it was Everton’s Phil Jagielka and it will leave the Toffees somewhat relieved about their late transfer deadline day dealings.

With Everton in control and half-time near, the centre-back had a poor first touch on the edge of his area which gave Diogo Joto the opportunity to close him down. What followed was a wreckless challenge from the overstretching Jagielka, catching Jota hard on the ankle with his studs showing.

The resulting straight red, unless rescinded, will see Jagielka out of Everton’s next game against Southampton. But the Toffees need not fear, with a week likely to be more than enough for either Yerry Mina or Kurt Zouma to fit into the squad and take his space.

Jagielka’s red was also Everton’s 90th in the history of the Premier League, more than any other team.

4. Ruben Neves scores his first Premier League rocket

Those who watched Wolves in the Championship last season will know what Ruben Neves is capable of from outside the box, but some may have wondered how many opportunities he would be given in the Premier League to show his magic.

It took the Portuguese midfielder 44 minutes into his first Premier League game to get on the scoresheet, and as expected it came from outside the box.

Following Jagielka’s foul and red card just before half-time, Neves was presented with the perfect opportunity just outside the box and he took it, curling the ball into the top right corner just out of Jordan Pickford’s reach – with the England goalkeeper getting his fingertips on it.

The goal was Neves’ seventh league goal since the start of 2017/18, all of which have been scored from outside the box – more than any other player has managed in the fop four tiers of English football during that time.

5. Jonny should play on the right for Wolves

Wolves started their Premier League campaign playing three at the back with Matt Doherty as right wing-back and Jonny on the left.

But Espirito Santo should look to moving the Atletico Madrid loanee over to the other flank to get the best out for their formation in the top flight.

Against Everton Doherty did not have the greatest game, and was not the best delivery-wise. And in Ruben Vinagre, Wolves have a young exciting full-back who is more-than capable on his left foot, with it being his stronger foot.

In a three/five-at-the-back system, this can allow instant crosses into the box drilled in to move away from the goalkeeper as opposed to curling in towards him by a right-footed player on the left.

These little things could be the difference between chances being taken or squandered.

The post Richarlison + Marco Silva = Goals: Five things learned from Wolves 2-2 Everton appeared first on Squawka News.



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