Everton clinched a narrow 1-0 triumph at Goodison Park in the third round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a decisive strike from substitute Charly Alcaraz. The goal, which arrived in the 80th minute, came just three minutes after Alcaras entered the field, preserving Everton's unbeaten start to the campaign and setting up a clash with Newcastle United in the following round, scheduled for the week of October 26. Alcaraz’s winner was only the second goal he has found the net for the Toffees, the first having come more than a year ago in the same competition. His powerful, curling effort from inside the penalty area left Wolves goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with no chance, and the match ended with Everton emerging as the deserving winners against a heavily rotated Wolves side.
Wolves entered the game with 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 midway through the first half after sustaining an injury. In the post‑match press conference, Wolves manager César Peixoto confirmed that Jimenez would miss the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Wolves side featured several newcomers, including Joao Virginia, who produced a standout performance against his former club. Virginia made a spectacular close‑range save in first‑half stoppage time to deny Thierno Barry’s header, demonstrating his reflexes and composure under pressure. Later, in the second half, he again thwarted Everton’s attacking threat when he saved a low shot from substitute Brennan Johnson, although the effort was insufficient to prevent Alcaraz’s late winner.
The decisive moment arrived when Alcaraz, after receiving a well‑timed pass from 20‑year‑old midfielder Tyler Dibling, unleashed a curling strike from the edge of the box. The ball curled past Virginia and into the net, giving Everton a three‑point cushion that would hold until the final whistle. The goal was met with jubilation from the travelling contingent of fans, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both of whom are known supporters of Everton. Their presence underscored the broader excitement surrounding David Moyes’ side as they continue to chase their first major trophy since the 1995 FA Cup victory.
Tyler Dibling, who provided the assist for Alcaraz’s winner, was named man of the match. The 20‑year‑old has struggled to find consistency during his first season with the club, but pre‑season performances suggested he was beginning to settle. Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine praised Dibling’s progress, noting that the youngster appears more comfortable and confident now that he has had a full pre‑season under his belt.
Irvine 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.
I said to him before the game, '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,' and he's done that.
You saw a little moment of that acceleration he has got, and he doesn't show enough of those moments, and he needs to be doing more. I've spent a bit of time with Tyler and Tyrique (George) this pre‑season trying to get them to contribute more than previously, and there are certainly signs that is coming." On the Wolves side, Peixoto defended his decision to overhaul the squad, stating that the young players performed admirably against a strong Premier League opponent. "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," he said. The match also featured a few moments of drama beyond the goals.
Early in the second half, Wolves’ replacement for Jimenez, Adam Armstrong, saw his shot saved by Pickford, marking the visitors’ first attempt on target. Throughout the game, both goalkeepers were called into action, but it was Alcaraz’s late strike that ultimately decided the outcome.
Everton’s victory keeps their cup hopes alive and adds another positive result to their early‑season form. The win also highlights the depth of the squad, with substitutes and younger players making decisive contributions. As they prepare for the upcoming tie against Newcastle, Everton will look to build on this momentum, while Wolves will regroup ahead of their next fixtures, hoping to recover from the disappointment of an early cup exit and the loss of a key striker in Jimenez.
Fans can look forward to a thrilling continuation of the Carabao Cup, with the Toffees now positioned to face another Premier League side, and the potential for more dramatic moments as the competition progresses. The narrative of a club striving to end a three‑decade silverware drought adds an extra layer of intrigue to every match, and Alcaraz’s late heroics will be remembered as a key chapter in this season’s cup journey.