Wolves 1-1 Everton: Marshall Munetsi fills Matheus Cunha void as Vitor Pereira’s side earn valuable point against in-form Toffees
- Jack Harrison and Marshall Munetsi traded strikes in a back-and-forth first half
- Neither side was able to find a winner after the restart as the points were shared
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Wolves showed they are more than a one-man team as star man Matheus Cunha watched from the stands beginning a minimum three-match ban.
Marshall Munetsi scored his first goal for the Old Gold before he had to come off at half-time and only saves from Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied Vitor Pereira’s men the victory they deserved.
Wolves are still only six points above the relegation zone but if they match Saturday night’s spirit in their remaining 10 matches, they should be safe.
‘We showed we have a team,’ said an encouraged Periera. ‘I believe that Cunha is very important for us, he can add special things and decide a game in a moment. But I don’t think you can build around only player.
‘The most important thing is the team. Everton are very strong and we showed the confidence to try and win until the last minute.’
Though the visitors weren’t able to build on taking the lead through Jack Harrison, their unbeaten league run under David Moyes is now eight games since he returned to replace Sean Dyche in January.
Marshall Munetsi scored his first goal for Wolves to earn a valuable 1-1 draw against Everton
Everton broke the deadlock as Jack Harrison fired in, helped by a deflection off Matt Doherty
He obliged David Moyes’ demand for more goals ahead of the game as he ended his drought
‘If you had given me that before I came in, I would have said you were off your head,’ said the Scot. ‘This was a good point. We had to be resilient, dig deep and keep the result.’
Cunha’s red card at Bournemouth – and a pending FA charge of improper conduct – deprived Wolves of their talisman and Everton started fast with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Jarrad Branthwaite and Beto all going close in the opening 10 minutes.
Wolves responded with a header by Munetsi saved at point-blank range by Pickford but were stunned by Everton taking the lead after 33 minutes.
Jesper Lindstrom slipped as he made a pass to Harrison on the edge of the penalty area but the ball still reached its intended target.
Harrison took a good first touch before firing into the corner via a deflection off Matt Doherty’s heel. It was the winger’s first goal of the season at the 28th attempt.
Wolves needed to respond quickly to lift the mood and they did so after 40 minutes. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ran towards the Everton penalty area at pace and slid a pass towards Munetsi.
Branthwaite, being watched by England coach Anthony Barry, should have dealt with it but got his feet in a muddle and the ball reached the £16million Zimbabwean, signed from Reims in January, who stroked the ball past Pickford.
Munetsi didn’t reappear for the second half after feeling a twinge from an old injury but Wolves continued to dictate and Pickford beat out a shot from Stand Larsen from an acute angle. At the other end, Sa saved from Beto.
Munetsi produced a smart finish to draw parity but was forced off at half-time through injury
The suspended Matheus Cunha watched from the stands amid Wolves relegation fight
Neither side could find a winner in the second half, with the points being shared come full-time
