Substitute forward Charly Alcará​z stepped up in the dying minutes to clinch a 1-0 triumph for Everton at Goodison Park, edging out a heavily rotated Wolverhampton Wanderers side in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The decisive strike arrived in the 80th minute, just three minutes after Alcará​z entered the fray, preserving Everton's unbeaten opening to the campaign and setting up a forthcoming showdown with Newcastle United in an all‑Premier League encounter scheduled for the week beginning October 26. Alcará​z's winner marked only the second goal he has recorded for the Toffees, the first having come over a year ago in the same competition. His late, curling effort from inside the box proved enough to separate the teams after a tightly contested match in which both sides displayed moments of quality and resilience.

Everton earned the win despite facing a Wolves team that had made nine changes to the lineup that had secured a league victory at Sheffield United the previous weekend. Among the changes, Wolves' prolific striker Raúl Jiménez, who had found the net at Bramall Lane, started the game but was forced off in the first half after sustaining an injury.

Post‑match, Wolves manager César Peixoto confirmed that Jiménez would miss the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The match also featured a notable performance from Wolves' newcomer João Virginia, who faced his former club with determination.

Virginia produced a spectacular close‑range save in first‑half stoppage time, denying Thierno Barry's header and keeping the score level. On the opposite end, Everton's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a crucial intervention early in the second half, parrying a shot from Jiménez's replacement, Adam Armstrong, which represented the visitors' first on‑target effort of the evening. Virginia continued to impress, turning away a challenge from Everton substitute Brennan Johnson later in the half. However, Johnson could not prevent Alcará​z from unleashing a powerful, curling strike from within the penalty area that found the back of the net, sealing the win for the home side.

The goal sparked celebrations not only among the Everton faithful but also among notable supporters such as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both of whom are known Everton enthusiasts. Their joy reflects the club's ongoing quest to capture its first major trophy since the 1995 FA Cup triumph. Everton's assistant manager Alan Irvine praised the contributions of 20‑year‑old midfielder Tyler Dibling, who was named man of the match. Dibling, who has struggled to find consistency during his first season with the Toffees, provided the assist for Alcará​z's winning goal and appeared more settled after a demanding pre‑season.

"Since he returned for pre‑season, he looks like he belongs here; he looks more comfortable," Irvine said. "He is a very quiet lad, and it can sometimes take young players time to settle in, especially at a club with high expectations. I told him before the game, 'You've been waiting patiently – or impatiently – and now you have your chance. 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 the coaching staff have been working closely with both Dibling and fellow youngster Tyrique George to increase their impact on the pitch.

"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 this pre‑season trying to get them to contribute more than previously, and there are certainly signs that is coming," he explained. On the Wolves side, Peixoto expressed satisfaction with the performance despite the loss, highlighting the positive aspects of fielding a youthful, re‑shaped squad.

"I think we did a good game; we competed against a strong Premier League team," he said. "A lot of young players did a great job today. I'm happy with the effort, but not with the result." The victory keeps Everton alive in the Carabao Cup and fuels optimism among supporters that the club can add silverware to its cabinet after a three‑decade drought. With the upcoming clash against Newcastle United, Everton will aim to maintain momentum and continue to test the depth of their squad, while Wolves will regroup and assess the fitness of key players ahead of their next league commitments.

Off the pitch, fans are encouraged to engage with the competition's promotional activities, such as the Super 6 game offering a chance to win £1 million at no cost. The club also reminded viewers to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience when watching highlights and live streams.