Substitute forward Charly Alcaraz stepped up in the dying minutes to secure a 1-0 win for Everton at Goodison Park against a largely reshuffled Wolves side in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The decisive strike, which arrived in the 80th minute, came just three minutes after Alcaraz entered the match, reinforcing Everton's unbeaten opening to the season and setting up a Premier League showdown with Newcastle in the week beginning 26 October. Alcaraz's goal marked only his second for the Toffees, the first having come over a year ago in the same competition. His powerful, curling effort from inside the box left the Wolves goalkeeper with no chance and proved the difference in a tightly contested encounter.
The win was particularly satisfying for Everton, who had to contend with a Wolves team that made nine changes following their recent league triumph at Sheffield United. Wolves' usual talisman, striker Raúl Jiménez, 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 Brom at Molineux.
Manager César Peixoto confirmed after the game that Jiménez would miss that fixture, a setback for the Wolves attack. One of the most notable moments came from Wolves' new signing João Virginia, who faced his former club and produced a spectacular close-range save to deny Thierno Barry's header in first‑half stoppage time.
His performance was matched by Everton's veteran keeper Jordan Pickford, who made a crucial early‑second‑half save to block a shot from Adam Armstrong, Jiménez's replacement, marking the visitors' first on‑target attempt. Virginia later denied Everton substitute Brennan Johnson, but could not prevent Alcaraz's late winner. The goal sparked celebrations among the traveling supporters, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both known Everton fans, as David Moyes' side continues to chase their first trophy since the 1995 FA Cup victory. Everton's assistant manager Alan Irvine praised the emerging talent of 20‑year‑old midfielder Tyler Dibling, who was named man of the match.
Dibling, who has struggled to find his footing during a challenging first season, provided the assist for Alcaraz's winning strike. Irvine said, "Since the pre‑season he has looked more comfortable, more at home.
Young players often need time to settle, especially at a club with high expectations, but Tyler has shown the acceleration and composure we need." Irvine added that he has been working closely with Dibling and fellow youngster Tyrique George during the pre‑season to increase their contributions on the pitch, noting that the recent performances are encouraging signs of progress. On the Wolves side, Peixoto defended his decision to rotate heavily, stating, "We played a good game against a strong Premier League opponent. Many of our younger players performed admirably.
I am pleased with the effort, even if the result was not in our favour." The match also featured a few other notable incidents. Early in the second half, Armstrong's shot tested Pickford, who reacted quickly to keep the scoreline level.
Later, Virginia again proved his worth by making a series of saves that kept Wolves within touching distance, though they were unable to convert any of their chances into goals. Everton's triumph means they advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Newcastle United in an all‑Premier League tie.
The win also maintains their perfect start to the campaign, bolstering confidence ahead of upcoming league fixtures. For Wolves, the loss highlights the challenges of integrating a large number of new faces while coping with the loss of a key striker through injury. Looking ahead, Everton will aim to build on this momentum, hoping that the blend of experienced heads like Pickford and emerging talents such as Dibling can sustain their push for silverware. Meanwhile, Wolves must regroup, address the injury concerns surrounding Jiménez, and continue developing the youngsters who showed promise despite the defeat.
The Carabao Cup continues to provide a platform for clubs to test squad depth and for players like Alcaraz and Dibling to make their mark on the national stage. As the competition progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and opportunities for rising stars to shine. For those interested in the broader context, the Carabao Cup offers a chance for lower‑division teams to test themselves against top‑flight opposition, while Premier League clubs often use the tournament to rotate squads and give younger players valuable experience. Everton's recent performance underscores how strategic rotation and timely substitutions can yield decisive results, a lesson that other clubs may take to heart as the season unfolds.
In addition to the on‑field action, the match was accompanied by a promotional offer inviting viewers to play the "Super 6" game for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available to participants. This adds an extra layer of fan engagement, linking the excitement of live football with interactive entertainment.