By Ivybridge Wolf
December 26 2022

Best wishes and Seasons Greetings to all Wolves fans and readers of the Molineux Way! In the 8 days since the World Cup Final, it seems incredible that Wolves will be playing their second match today and on the most traditional of footballing days – Boxing Day. The first match was a landmark, Julen Lopetegui’s opening match as the new Wolves manager, nevertheless, as great it is to get through to a cup quarter final in a frustrating encounter versus a very poor Gillingham side, this afternoon at Goodison Park will be a much sterner test.

You may have read that Julen has talked about 23 cup matches to go – of course a reference to our current unenviable Christmas Day position that favours nobody – bottom of the premier league. The new Wolves management team have started quickly by signing Matheus Cuhna from Atletico Madrid and despite being mainly limited to the reserves, he and our other players will have little time to rest on laurels. We need points badly and quickly. Cuhna can’t play until January, however.

As it stands, we are 4 points behind Everton, who are themselves in the most precarious of league positions – 17^th in the table. Sadly, what that gap does mean is that we unable to drag ourselves out of the bottom three today, however this fixture is, in every way, the proverbial six-pointer. Both sides approach the match with really poor league form prior to the World Cup break, Everton winning just one and drawing one from their last five, and even worse, from the last five have we managed just one draw and lost the rest. But that is form from October and November. Can / has Lopetegui been able to shift some of the rather poor mind sets and body language that was apparent in the Lage (and Steve Davis) era? The players will be the same, will the attitude have changed? Maybe the Wolves squad will be buoyed by the recent memory of accruing six points against The Toffees last season? Well, if we won today, not only would it be our first top flight win on Boxing Day since 1978, more crucially it would be our first away win this season! Surely the Gillingham win will provide a bit of a boost, that’s something ‘Frank Lampard’s Everton’ don’t have.

Team selection will be so interesting today. Who has impressed Lopetegui since his arrival to warrant a premier league starting position? I read Boubacar Traore is being assessed, so not sure if he’ll be involved.

The match itself is a 3pm kick off and will be screening live (with the usual slight internet based delay) on Amazon Prime. Wherever you are watching or following the match, let’s hope it is enjoyable and proves successful too. Gillingham was okay, though this is the real first match of note for Julen.

Please feel free to leave your match comments and thoughts in this thread in the usual way.

UTW!!

Match Thread: Everton v Wolves Boxing Day 2022 KO 3pm

Discussion started by Wolves , 26/12/2022 11:20

Wolves
26/12/2022 11:20

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:01:08:16:21:16 by Cheshire wolf.

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Risca TM
26/12/2022 14:12

Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno, Hodge, Neves, Joao Moutinho, Hwang, Costa, Podence.

Subs: Sarkic, Ait Nouri, Jimenez, Guedes, Toti, Ronan, Nunes, Traore, Lembikisa.

Have some reservations about Hodge, Podge and Moutinho all starting together, but there we are.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 14:43

Nice one Ivybridge Wolf and Merry Christmas everyone.
Julen Lopetegui certainly has a soft spot for Joe Hodge starting him again. All reports have said what a difference Matheus Nunes made when he can on as a sub on Tuesday but he can’t get a starting berth.
Hoping for a positive result this afternoon and just wishing it hadn’t been scheduled for Bozing Day as I would have been there!!!

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 14:57

I think a draw will be a good result TBH

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 15:08

Yerry Mina opens the scoring from a corner
Everton 1 Wolves 0



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:15:11:03 by Cheshire wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:09

First corner, first goal.

Ironically Coady’s stand in Mina scores with a glancing header who was far too strong for Bueno

What an inauspicious start to the Lopetegui reign - terrible news

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:17

Positive run just then from Hwang up the right but not the greatest of balls into the box

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 15:19

Wolves struggling to get and retain possession

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 15:23

Corner to Wolves lobbed into the area by Joao to Pod who converts easily
E’ton 1 Wolves 1

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:23

Our first corner - goal!!! Short corner actually pays off, out to the edge of the box, Moutinho plays an excellent ball in to Podence (who took the corner) to neatly side foot it passed Pickford.

Really good goal





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:15:24:11 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 15:29

Referee Craig Pawson letting a lot go but giving most free kicks to E’ton. Good period of possession by Wolves but little progress on forwards

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:33

My word, Hodge just played Maupay in on a 1 v 1 with Sa, our keeper came out of his box and saved the day with a bit of help from Semedo. Lucky Wolves

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 15:35

Good work down left wing between Pod & Hugo but Costa can’t get any power behind his header. Jose Sa makes a fine stop to deny Gordon

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:36

Good wing play on the left, Podence plays Bueno in, crossing in for Costa but the ball seemed to fade and not enough pace for Costa to really do anything dangerous.

Big chance to Everton …. Collins error, Everton send Gordon through 1 v 1 and a very good Sa saves Wolves again.

Both sides giving the ball away for fun





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:15:37:11 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:43

Another Collins rick there gives Maupay another very good opportunity who hits it comfortably into Sa’s hands.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 15:49

HT 1-1

Hwang had a late chance but fell down in the box when under pressure where a shot or pass could have reaped rewards.

Not a bad match to be honest but a contest between two very average sides who are capable of making mistakes at a moments notice. The massive positive for me is that we managed to come back from behind. We wouldn’t really have deserved to be losing that but for the errors of Collins!!





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:15:54:10 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 15:51

Halftime whistle sounds and it’s all square. Mina fended off attention from Hugo to make space and head the ball past Jose into the corner from a corner kick. Later a short corner went to Joao who out a delightful lob over the defence to Podence for him to side foot it home. They have been far too many sloppy passes and several bad tempered bust ups between players.
Everton 1 Wolves 1

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chicagowolf
26/12/2022 16:03

Costa’s header straight to the keeper would have gone in when he was prime. Semedo was in much better from than recently. And Collins has used up his ‘shame’ quota for the year. Real Keystone Cops stuff.
Not sure who to substitute. Adama for Hwang? RAN for Bueno maybe

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:04

No changes at half time as Wolves kick off the second half.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:06

What a miss from Iwoebi. 4 yadds out, free header, straight at Sa





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:16:07:00 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:07

Quote:

Ivybridge Wolf
What a miss from Iwoebi. 4 yadds out, free header, straight at Sa

He was offside

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Lupy
26/12/2022 16:09

Just as well Everton are a bog average team or we would be in real trouble.
Evenly balanced so far so still to play for. Passing really needs to improve before we gift them a goal.
Cmon lads.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:09

More ooor decisions and poor passes from Wolves almost proving costly. Good tackle by Semedo to break up a dangerous situation, but E’ton now have a free kick which Gordon puts high & wide

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:10

Bueno the player to give the ball away, again last gasp Semedo intervention prevents a goal scoring opportunity

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Lupy
26/12/2022 16:12

Just as well Everton are a bog average team or we would be in real trouble.
Evenly balanced so far so still to play for. Passing really needs to improve before we gift them a goal.
Cmon lads.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:12

Time get Costa off and Jimenez on after that dreadful pass

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:14

Good shot from Bueno but comfortable for Pickford.

RAN and Adama getting ready to come on

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Lupy
26/12/2022 16:14

Players don't seem to be on the same wavelength.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:17

Ait-Nouri being prepared. Hugo brings a save out of Pickford. McNeil replaced by Demarai Gray for E’ton. Bueno replaced by RAN

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:17

RAN, Nunes Adama on

Bueno, Hwang and Hodge off

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:18

Adama on for a pretty ineffective Hwang, and Nunez on for Hodge

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Lupy
26/12/2022 16:21

Early days but looking better after the subs.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:22

Two quick yellows for Wolves - Podence and Kilman

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:23

Pod booked for a tackle then Max get a yellow card for a high boot

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:27

Quote:

Lupy
Early days but looking better after the subs.

Agreed

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:28

Jimenez for Costa

70 minutes gone

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:29

Pod now down injured so likely to be replaced by Guedes

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:30

Quote:

Ivybridge Wolf
Jimenez for Costa
70 minutes gone

Scarp that, Podence gets injured and it’s Guedes for Podence

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:36

Godfrey on for Mina who had cramp!

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:36

Toti for Moutinho

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:38

Toti Gomez replaces Joao, so Raul won’t get on today. Ruben gets a yellow card for touching Mykalenko in a tackle

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:40

Another 2 quick yellows, Neves and Toti

Poor half this

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:40

Yellow card for Toti fora tackle from behind on Maupay. Free kick for Gray to take but just wide.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:42

Everton nearly score … off the line by Neves after a Sa flap.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:44

Ruben clears off the line after a good save by Jose, then Mykalenko shoots wide

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 16:49

5 minutes added. Costa just got a yellow … joke of a decision from the ref





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:26:16:49:31 by Ivybridge Wolf.

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:49

First of five added minutes

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Cheshire wolf
26/12/2022 16:53

Ait-Nouri does it again from close range
Everton 1 Wolves 2

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Risca TM
26/12/2022 16:56

Mother, hold me close!

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Risca TM
26/12/2022 16:57

3 goals from RAN in 3 weeks. Prolific!

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chicagowolf
26/12/2022 16:59

Win ugly? We won; and two places off the bottom. Great goal from RAN from a Traore cross. 1-2 final

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Lupy
26/12/2022 16:59

Great three points but a bit lucky. RAN is so composed in those situations.
Team still looking a fragile bunch but that win will surely give them some confidence. A nice late Christmas present.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 17:00

😂😂👍🐺😂⚽️

What a finish !! Great ball up to Adama from Nunes, Traore cross bound for Costa is deflected into RANs path who, under great pressure, smashes a left footed unstoppable shot past helpless Pickford.

Sometimes football is just wonderful.

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Ivybridge Wolf
26/12/2022 17:19

Coming back down to earth for a moment, despite a vital and superb 3 points (which count for so much in our situation) there is no doubt we rode our luck at times today. A better side than Everton would have punished the many mistakes we made and creating chances up the Everton end weren’t at a premium either. Overall I thought the match as a whole, whilst well contested, was between two sides clearly at the wrong end of the table …… at times the quality was very poor and mistakes aplenty across the pitch. Nevertheless we came back from being behind, character shown, that’s got to be good for team spirit and belief ….. and our first top flight win since 1978 and our first away of the season.

I was a little dismayed with the Amazon punditry which stated the Wolves subs were defensive in nature. Quite the opposite, all of a sudden, like the old days, the wing backs were able to get forward exemplified by our winner and the fact it was RAN who tucked it away. One dimensional commentary.

A wonderful ending and rather than 7 points behind Everton it is now just 1 and we go ahead of Forest and Saints. A step in the right direction for sure …. Loads more to do.

UTW

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Andy Fincher
26/12/2022 18:29

No shortage of mistakes and mis-placed passes from both sides but a massive win nevertheless.
Some of the bookings being handed out these days are ridiculous, half of them not even fouls.
Don't want to put a dampener on things but a better side would surely have beaten us but only two matches in and, at the moment, with Lage's squad, things probably aren't going to change too quickly. Interested to see what the transfer window brings.
Bueno's weakest match so far but still did some good things. Collins worries me but Semedo had one of his better games and put in some good defending. Great ball from Joao for the first goal.
Still a long way to go but overall a positive start.

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Risca TM
26/12/2022 18:51

Agree Andy. The quality of the players can't change, but the improvement of individual effort and performances, team spirit, and a bit of luck might just bring enough momentum to lift the squad out of the doldrums - which we've been in since that Raul red card and home defeat to Leeds last season.

Already the league table looks much more bearable-doable than it did before today's result. UTW!

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Lupy
26/12/2022 20:38

In terms of individual performance Sa, Semedo, Neves,Podence and Moutinho come out of the match with some credit but the remainder looked shaky and unsure of themselves, not including the subs who all added something to the mix when they came on but I haven't judged them due to short time on the pitch. Collins and Kilman don't seem to have forged a relationship yet and Bueno wasn't at his best today. Hodge seemed a little lost and didn't seem to take up any particular position. Costa chased more than usual but has still to hit the back of the net. Hwang was fundamentally anonymous throughout the match and Guedes still baffles me, particularly with his price tag.. Lots of work to do before this current team can reliably be expected to compete on a consistent basis. The new signings will need to hit the road running or we are still in trouble.

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