Everton 3 (Campbell 8, Okoronkwo 28, Mills (pen) 43) Wolves 0
Wolves under-21s were made to pay for a disastrously first half on Merseyside, as Everton struck three times without response to ensure James Collins’ side were comfortably beaten.
Elijah Campbell, Francis Okoronkwo and Stanley Mills were all on target for the Toffees before the break, and although the old gold improved in the second 45, they couldn’t find a way past Everton goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban to force the contest after the interval.
The evening began badly for Wolves’ youngsters on Merseyside, as they fell behind to a goal from a set piece on eight minutes. Everton’s short corner led to Isaac Price whipping in a delivery which Campbell met with a thumping header from within the six yard box, which gave Palmi Arinbjornsson no chance.
That set the tone for a disappointing half for the old gold, who fell further behind when Katia Kouyate’s cross wasn’t dealt with and Francis Okoronkwo’s shot took a deflection before nestling in the far corner to double Everton’s lead.
Just minutes later it was three for the hosts when Alfie Pond went through the back of Sean McAllister when attempting to turn the defender, and the referee pointed to the spot, allowing Mills to fire down the middle from 12 yards to make it 3-0 to the hosts.
Half-time | Everton 3-0 Wolves
Wolves needed to respond after the break and Tyler Roberts attempted to turn the tide down the right, and his cross led to both Joe Hodge and Ty Barnett having goalbound efforts blocked by the Toffees defence.
James Collins switched things up after the break, but the introduction of Owen Farmer could do little to change Wolves’ chances in the final third, as they were restricted to attempts Everton managed to get in the way of.
Instead, the hosts remained comfortable and Jenson Metcalfe called Arinbjornsson into action, before Kouyate followed in, but neither could add goal number four for Everton.
For Wolves, Roberts was the livewire and he flashed a dangerous cross in during the closing stages, which the old gold couldn’t capitalise on, and Collins’ side finished beaten in the north west.
Full-time | Everton 3-0 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s are back in action next Friday night with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur, where they’ll look to get back to winning ways.
NEXT FIVE
07/03 Tottenham (A)
10/04 Everton (H)
14/04 Fulham (A)
24/04 Crystal Palace (H)
29/04 Manchester City (A)
TEAMS
Everton | Leban, Hunt, John, Welch, Campbell, Butterfield (Samuels-Smith 79), Kouyate, McAllister, Mills (Metcalfe 58), Price (Iversen 46), Okoronkwo (Ebere 79).
Unused subs | Barrett.
Wolves | Arinbjornsson, Lembikisa, Marques, Pond (Esen 61), Birtwistle (Keto-Diyawa 71), Tipton, Hodge (Kandola 85), Barnett, Hesketh, Roberts, Fraser (Farmer 71).
Unused subs | Amos.
