Everton 0 Wolves 2 (Roberts 11, 66)
Tyler Roberts scored a brace as Wolves under-21s moved up to fifth in the Premier League 2 table with victory at Everton on Friday afternoon.
Roberts scored a goal in each half as James Collins’ side took all three points on the road for the second time this week following Monday’s win at Derby.
Three youngsters were making their first PL2 starts for the Old Gold, with Lewys Benjamin, Wes Okoduwa and Caden Voice all in the line-up at Finch Farm.
Wolves took the lead after just 10 minutes as a defence-splitting pass from Matty Whittingham saw Marvin Kaleta played in behind down the left. He powered past his man and looked to poke under goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley, but it was Roberts who was there on the line to poke home from close range.
Roberts threatened again soon after when he forced Barnsley into a save with a powerful effort that left the boot of the Wolves man.
Katia Kouyate came close to a leveller for the Toffees just shy of the half hour mark but after rounding Benjamin, he could only put the ball across the box where Voice was waiting to mop up the danger.
The home side struck the woodwork on the stroke of half-time as Jenson Metcalfe’s corner was caught in the strong winds and the ball rebounded off the bar and fell to the feet of Kouyate, who saw his effort blocked.
Half-time | Everton 0-1 Wolves
Following his opener in the first period, Roberts was eyeing his second of the afternoon and he came close when Harvey Griffiths pounced on a loose clearance before Roberts curled an effort just wide of the mark.
Moments later, Roberts again looked for the far corner after cutting onto his right from the left, but his range wasn’t quite there as the ball went comfortably wide.
However, after coming close, Roberts finally doubled the Old Gold’s advantage on 66 minutes. The attacker chased Benjamin’s long kick up field and after cutting back to Tom Edozie, the Everton defence cleared off the line before Roberts followed in and prodded over the line from a few yards out.
Tyler Roberts doubles our advantage 💪#PL2 pic.twitter.com/OYxr5vmUFC
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) March 15, 2024
Under-16s Luke Rawlings and Alvin Ayman were once again amongst the second half substitutes to come on, as Wolves showed maturity to see the game out and preserve their clean sheet to go with the three points.
Full-time | Everton 0-2 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s return to Premier League 2 action following the international break as Sunderland visit Aggborough.
NEXT UP
- 08/04 Sunderland (H)
- 15/04 Tottenham (A)
- 29/04 Brighton (H)
TEAMS
Everton | Barnsley, Dixon, John, Welch, Jones, Djankpata, Whitaker, Onyango, Kouyate (Heath 80), Metcalfe, Armstrong (Ebere 80).
Subs not used | Pickford, Samuels-Smith, Barker.
Wolves | Benjamin, Kaleta (Keto-Diyawa 31), Voice, Rees (Ayman 89), Ojinnaka, Pond, Okoduwa, Griffiths, Edozie (Rawlings 70), Whittingham, Roberts (Lopes 70).
Subs not used | E. McLeod.
