The year of 2023 concludes for Wolves at Molineux against Everton, and it’s a fixture they’re going into brimming with confidence.
#1 In both camps
Gary O’Neil confirmed after the Brentford game that Hee Chan Hwang’s injury, which forced him off before the break, was a back spasm and that he’s hopeful he’ll be OK for Saturday. Likewise, Craig Dawson. The central defender didn’t travel to London due to an awkward cut on his knee which required stitches as it was deemed too much of a risk, but he could well face the Toffees. At 3-1 up, Pedro Neto was readied to come on at the Gtech Community Stadium, but as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde rolled in the fourth goal, the decision was reversed, as to not risk the number seven. He’s expected to be named in the squad again. With a third match in seven days on the horizon, and O’Neil making just one change between the first two, the likes of Matt Doherty, Hugo Bueno and Tommy Doyle have done themselves no harm coming on the bench, should the head coach wish to make changes.
Everton are currently doing without four members of their first-team group. Abdoulaye Doucoure is their top scorer, but he’s currently suffering with a hamstring injury, which has kept him out of the last two games. Idrissa Gana Gueye is currently absent with a calf injury and the medical staff are waiting for the swelling to go down, before confirming the extent of the problem. Ashley Young was close to making the squad on Wednesday, so is nearing a return to fitness. Dele Alli remains out with a groin problem. Dominic Calvert-Lewin started on the bench against Man City, so will be fresh for a return, should Sean Dyche choose that option. Jarrad Branthwaite returned from suspension to replace Michael Keane, so is likely to partner James Tarkowski again.
A touch of class from Hee Chan 😎 pic.twitter.com/wCoB68VMwO
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 28, 2023
#2 Coming into it
Wolves chalked up back-to-back wins for the first time under O’Neil either side of Christmas and are ending 2023 on an exciting note. The last Molineux outing was the 2-1 win over Chelsea, achieved courtesy of Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty. That was built on by a first win in five on the road at Brentford. Hee Chan Hwang was at the double, moving him into double figures for the season, with Lemina and Bellegarde starting and finishing the scoring either side.
Wolves’ last three | W 4-1 Brentford (A) – W 2-1 Chelsea (H) – L 3-0 West Ham (A)
Everton’s momentum in the Premier League has slowed slightly this Christmas, as their four-match winning run has been followed by a Carabao Cup exit and two Premier League losses. They were in both of those defeats however, with the 2-1 reverse at Tottenham Hotspur going down to the wire, after Andre Gomes’ first Premier League goal since February 2019. Then against Man City, Everton took the lead through Jack Harrison, before the champions stormed back to win.
Everton’s last three | L 3-1 Man City (H) – L 2-1 Tottenham (A) – W 2-0 Burnley (A)
#3 Since last time
Wolves 1-1 Everton | 20th May 2023
Like how 2023 is set to end, the 2022/23 campaign at Molineux concluded with Everton visiting Molineux. The Toffees were in the midst of the relegation battle and a 1-1 draw ensured their job would go down to the final day, where they proved successful. On the day at Molineux, Hwang had put Wolves in front before the break, but Everton kept pushing and in the 99th minute they gave themselves belief in the fight as Yerry Mina scrambled home a late equaliser.
Wolves | Bentley, Semedo, Collins, Dawson, Toti, Adama, Neves, Gomes, Podence, Sarabia, Hwang.
Of the Wolves 11 that day, three players have since moved on. Nathan Collins faced the Old Gold with Brentford on Wednesday, while Adama Traore and Daniel Podence also made their departures in the summer. As for Everton, goal scorer Mina also left for Fiorentina in the summer, while Alex Iwobi swapped Goodison Park for Craven Cottage.
Everton | Pickford, Patterson, Mina, Tarkowski, McNeil, Gueye, Garner, Onana, Doucoure, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.
#4 In the media
Steve Sutcliffe of BBC Sport was full of praise for Wolves after Wednesday's big win at Brentford.
Sutcliffe said: “On this evidence a European place may not be beyond Wolves, who look to be steadily improving under Gary O’Neil. The former Bournemouth boss deserves great credit for the work he has undertaken at Molineux having been appointed just days before the season got under way. After a challenging start to the campaign, he finds his team level on points with Chelsea and within touching distance of the likes of Brighton and Newcastle having reached the halfway mark.
“In Hee Chan Hwang he has also found a reliable goal scorer, while Matheus Cunha’s performances from a deeper role are catching the eye. Hwang’s departure to play for South Korea in the Asia Cup in January will be the next problem he is likely to have to overcome, although he will hope the return of Portuguese playmaker Pedro Neto partially offsets that loss.”
After a difficult couple of years, Ian Kennedy of BBC Radio Merseyside believes Everton are finally able to look to the future positively.
Kennedy said: “It has been a tumultuous year for Everton and their supporters, but there is a renewed hope about what 2024 might bring. We await the result of the appeal into the 10-point deduction, and the takeover is yet to be completed but even putting all that aside, this team look stronger, they have been galvanised, and there is a real sense that the worst may now be over. The form in recent weeks suggests Sean Dyche’s team will be absolutely fine in terms of safety, regardless of the deduction. That will not be taken for granted of course but the signs look good.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit and playing regularly, Jarrad Branthwaite looks a great prospect at centre-back, and the likes of Jack Harrison, Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure are playing with confidence. It will be interesting to see if any transfer activity will be possible in January, but with the players they have right now, the Blues will surely believe they can finish in a healthy league position, and who knows, have a decent FA Cup run.”
