Everton secured a narrow 1-0 triumph at Goodison Park after substitute Charly Alcaraz struck a decisive goal in the final minutes of the third‑round Carabao Cup tie against a heavily altered Wolverhampton Wanderers side. The win sets up a forthcoming clash with Newcastle United, another Premier League opponent, scheduled for the week beginning 26 October. Alcaraz entered the match off the bench and, just three minutes later, found the back of the net in the 80th minute, preserving Everton's unbeaten start to the campaign.
This goal marks only the second he has scored for the Toffees, the first having come just over a year ago in the same competition. His powerful, curling effort from inside the penalty area left the Wolves goalkeeper with little chance, sealing the victory for David Moyes' side.
Wolves arrived at the stadium having made nine changes to the lineup that had secured a league win at Sheffield United the previous weekend. Their usual goal‑scorer, Raul Jimenez, started the match but was forced off in the first half due to an injury that later ruled him out of the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux.
Manager César Peixoto confirmed after the game that Jimenez will miss the derby, a setback for the Wolves attack. The visitors' debutant, João Virginia, impressed with a superb close‑range save that denied Thierno Barry's header in first‑half stoppage time. His performance was mirrored by Everton’s number one, Jordan Pickford, who produced an important early‑second‑half save to keep Jimenez’s replacement, Adam Armstrong, at bay. Armstrong’s shot was the first on‑target for the Wolves, but Pickford’s reflexes ensured the score remained level.
Later, Virginia again thwarted an attempt, this time from Everton substitute Brennan Johnson, before Alcaraz’s late strike broke the deadlock. The goal brought delight not only to the Everton faithful but also to two notable supporters watching from the UK and abroad: Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian central bank governor Mark Carney, both of whom are known Everton fans.
Their enthusiasm echoed the club’s ambition to capture its first major trophy since the 1995 FA Cup triumph. Everton’s assistant manager Alan Irvine highlighted the progress of young midfielder Tyler Dibling, who was named man of the match. Dibling, now 20, provided the assist for Alcaraz’s winner and appears to be settling into the squad after a challenging debut season. Irvine praised Dibling’s increased confidence, noting that the pre‑season period had helped him feel more at home at the club.
He remarked, "Since he came back 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." Irvine also emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, recalling his words to Dibling before the match: "You've been waiting patiently – or impatiently – and you've now got your chance, and now you must take that opportunity. Make sure the manager has a tough decision to make for the next game," a challenge Dibling met by delivering a decisive contribution. On the Wolves side, Peixoto defended his decision to rotate heavily, stating that the young players performed admirably against a strong Premier League opponent.
He expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort, even though the result was not in their favour, saying, "I think we did a good game; we competed against a strong Premier League team. I think today a lot of young players did a great job. I'm happy with the job today but not with the result." The match also featured a brief technical note for viewers, advising the use of the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Beyond the on‑field action, the competition continues to generate excitement among fans and sponsors alike, with promotional activities such as the Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million at no cost to participants. Overall, Everton’s late winner not only secured three points but also reinforced their cup ambitions, providing a platform for emerging talents like Dibling and Alcaraz to showcase their abilities. As the team looks ahead to the Newcastle encounter, the victory serves as a reminder of the club’s determination to add silverware to its cabinet after more than three decades of waiting.