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, who found the net just three minutes after entering the fray. The win not only extended the Toffees' unbeaten start to the season but also set up a forthcoming clash with Newcastle United in an all‑Premier League tie scheduled for the week beginning October 26.
Alcaraz’s winner arrived in the 80th minute, a powerful curling effort from inside the box that left Wolves goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with no chance. This marked only the second goal Alcaraz has scored for Everton, the first having come more than a year ago in the same competition.
His quick impact off the bench underscored the depth of Everton’s squad and the manager’s confidence in rotating players during cup fixtures. Wolves entered the match heavily altered, making nine changes after their recent league victory over Sheffield United.
Their most notable starter was striker Raúl Jiménez, who had been the hero in the previous game at Bramall Lane. Unfortunately for Wolves, Jiménez was forced off midway through the first half after sustaining an injury. Post‑match, Wolves’ head coach César Peixoto confirmed that the Spanish forward would miss the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The visitors also featured debutant João Virginia, who delivered an inspired performance against his former club. Virginia’s most memorable moment came in first‑half stoppage time when he produced a spectacular close‑range save to deny a header from Everton’s Thierno Barry. Later, in the second half, Virginia again proved his worth by thwarting a shot from Everton’s substitute Brennan Johnson, though he could not prevent Alcaraz’s eventual winner.
On the Everton side, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made an early contribution by denying an early attempt from Adam Armstrong, who had been brought on as Jiménez’s replacement. Pickford’s save was the first shot on target for the visitors and helped keep the scoreline level for the majority of the game.
The winning goal sparked joy among notable Everton supporters, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both of whom are known fans of the club. Their enthusiasm reflects the broader hope among Toffees supporters that David Moyes can finally deliver a trophy, ending a silverware drought that dates back to the 1995 FA Cup triumph. Everton’s assistant manager Alan Irvine offered high praise for 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 club, provided the decisive assist for Alcaraz’s winner. Irvine remarked that Dibling appears to be settling in after a challenging debut campaign: "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 continued, emphasizing the importance of patience and opportunity for young players: "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." César Peixoto, reflecting on his decision to overhaul the squad, expressed no regret despite the loss.
He praised his young players, stating, "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." His comments underline the developmental focus of Wolves’ approach, even when facing a higher‑division opponent. The match also featured a brief technical note for viewers: the video player works best when accessed via the Chrome browser, ensuring a smoother streaming experience for fans watching the highlights online. Looking ahead, Everton will aim to build on this cup success as they prepare for the Newcastle encounter, hoping to maintain momentum in both league and cup competitions. For Wolves, the immediate task is to recover from Jiménez’s injury and regroup for their upcoming derby, while continuing to give valuable minutes to the younger members of the squad who showed promise despite the defeat.
Fans of both clubs can also take part in a promotional Super 6 game offering a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available for those interested. This extra incentive adds a touch of excitement off the pitch as supporters celebrate the drama and unpredictability that cup football consistently delivers.