Substitute forward Charly Alcaraz stepped onto the pitch and, just three minutes after entering the game, delivered a decisive strike in the 80th minute that secured a 1-0 home win for Everton against a heavily altered Wolves side in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The goal not only preserved Everton's unbeaten start to the campaign but also set up a forthcoming all‑Premier League showdown with Newcastle, scheduled for the week beginning 26 October. Alcaraz's winner was only his second goal for the Toffees, the first having come more than a year earlier in the same competition.
His late, curling effort from inside the box left the Wolves goalkeeper with no chance and cemented Everton's status as the deserving victors over the Championship club, which had made nine changes to the lineup that secured a league win at Sheffield United the previous weekend. Wolves entered the match with several notable alterations. Their usual striker, Raul Jimenez, who had been the hero in the Bramall Lane win, started the game but was forced off midway through the first half due to an injury. After the match, Wolves manager César Peixoto confirmed that Jimenez would miss the upcoming Black Country derby against West Brom at Molineux, a fixture that will be televised live on Sky Sports.
One of the debutants for Wolves, Joao Virginia, showed flashes of brilliance against his former club. He produced a spectacular close‑range save to deny Thierno Barry's header in first‑half stoppage time, demonstrating composure beyond his years. Across the pitch, Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also made a crucial intervention, tipping away a shot from Jimenez’s replacement, Adam Armstrong, early in the second half. That was the visitors' first shot on target of the afternoon.
Virginia continued to impress, later denying Everton substitute Brennan Johnson, but he could not prevent Alcaraz’s powerful, curling finish from finding the net late in the game. The goal sparked celebration not only among the players but also among notable Everton supporters watching from the stands, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both known fans of the club. Their joy echoed the optimism surrounding David Moyes' side, which remains eager to capture its first major trophy since the 1995 league title. Everton’s assistant manager Alan Irvine praised the performance of 20‑year‑old midfielder Tyler Dibling, who was named man of the match.
Dibling, who has endured a challenging debut season, provided the assist for Alcaraz’s winner and appears to be settling into his role after a difficult start. Irvine said, "Since he returned for pre‑season, he looks like he belongs here; he looks more comfortable. He is a very quiet lad, and it can sometimes take young lads time to settle in, especially at a club like this with the expectation so that was probably difficult for him last year.
I told him before the game, 'You've been waiting patiently – or impatiently – and you now have your chance, and you must take that opportunity. Make sure the manager has a tough decision to make for the next game,' and he delivered." Irvine added that Dibling’s acceleration and willingness to contribute are improving, noting that he has been working closely with both Dibling and fellow youngster Tyrique George during the pre‑season to raise their impact on the pitch. The assistant manager believes the signs are positive and that the young players are beginning to fulfil the potential that the club sees in them.
On the Wolves side, Peixoto defended his decision to rotate the squad, stating, "I think we played a good game; we competed against a strong Premier League team. A lot of young players did a great job today. I'm happy with the effort, but not with the result." His comments underscored the belief that the experience gained by the younger squad members will be valuable as the season progresses.
The match also featured a few other noteworthy moments. After Alcaraz’s strike, Everton continued to press, looking for a second goal to put the game beyond doubt, while Wolves attempted to regroup and create chances through their midfield, but the defensive organization of the Toffees held firm.
The atmosphere at Goodison Park was electric, with fans chanting and celebrating the late winner, aware that this victory keeps their hopes alive for a deep cup run. Looking ahead, Everton will travel to face Newcastle United in a purely Premier League encounter, a test that will further gauge their readiness for a potential cup final.
Meanwhile, Wolves will regroup and focus on their upcoming league fixtures, hoping to recover from the loss and to manage Jimenez’s injury situation. In summary, the Carabao Cup tie delivered drama, a youthful showcase, and a late‑stage heroics that saw Everton edge out a heavily rotated Wolves side. The result adds another chapter to Everton’s quest for silverware and provides a platform for emerging talents like Dibling and Alcaraz to cement their places in the squad.
The win also highlights the strategic gamble made by Wolves’ manager, who, despite the defeat, remains optimistic about the development of his younger players. The competition continues to offer excitement for fans, and the promise of further knockout action remains as both clubs look forward to their next challenges.