Substitute forward Charly Alcaraz stepped onto the pitch and, within three minutes of his introduction, delivered a decisive strike that secured a 1-0 home win for Everton against a heavily altered Wolves side in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The match, played at Goodison Park, saw Everton maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and set up a subsequent all‑Premier League encounter with Newcastle United in the week beginning 26 October.
Alcaraz's winner arrived in the 80th minute, a powerful curling effort from inside the box that left the Wolves goalkeeper with no chance. It was only the second goal the Spanish‑born attacker has registered for the Toffees, the first having come thirteen months earlier in the same competition.
His late heroics not only preserved Everton's perfect record but also underscored the impact a bench player can have when called upon. Wolves entered the game after a demanding weekend that saw them travel to Sheffield United, where they secured a league victory. Manager César Peixoto opted for a radical overhaul, making nine changes to the starting eleven.
Among the altered lineup, striker Raúl Jiménez, who had been the decisive scorer at Bramall Lane in the previous fixture, was handed the nod. Unfortunately for the Wolves, Jiménez suffered an injury midway through the first half and was forced to leave the field.
Peixoto later confirmed that the injury would rule the veteran forward out of the upcoming Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Wolves side also featured newcomer João Virgínia, who faced his former club with determination. Early in first‑half stoppage time, Virgínia produced a spectacular close‑range save to deny a header from Thierno Barry, showcasing his reflexes and composure.
Across the pitch, Everton's keeper Jordan Pickford responded in kind, making a crucial early‑second‑half save to repel a shot from Adam Armstrong, Jiménez's replacement, which was the visitors' first shot on target of the evening. Virgínia continued his impressive performance by denying Everton substitute Brennan Johnson later in the game, but his efforts could not prevent Alcaraz's late winner.
The goal, a beautifully struck curl from inside the penalty area, sparked celebrations not only among the Toffees fans but also among notable supporters watching from the stands, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian finance minister Mark Carney, both of whom are known Everton enthusiasts. Their visible delight highlighted the broader significance of the win for a club eager to claim its first major trophy since the 1995 FA Cup triumph.
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 consistency during his first season with the club, provided the assist that set up Alcaraz's decisive strike. Irvine noted that Dibling's pre‑season performances have shown a player beginning to feel at home at Goodison Park. "Since he returned for pre‑season, he looks like he belongs here; he looks more comfortable," Irvine said.
He added that young players often need time to settle at a club with high expectations, and Dibling's patience was finally rewarded. "I told him before the game, 'You've been waiting patiently – or impatiently – and now you've got your chance. Make sure the manager has a tough decision to make for the next game,' and he delivered," Irvine explained. The assistant also highlighted Dibling's acceleration and the need for him to showcase that attribute more regularly.
He mentioned working closely with Dibling and fellow youngster Tyrique George throughout the pre‑season to encourage greater contribution, noting that signs of progress were evident in the cup match. On the Wolves side, Peixoto defended his decision to rotate heavily, stating that the team performed admirably against a strong Premier League opponent. "I think we played a good game; we competed against a strong Premier League team," he said post‑match. He praised the youngsters who stepped up, acknowledging their effort while expressing disappointment with the result.
"I'm happy with the job today but not with the result," he concluded. Looking ahead, Everton will travel to face Newcastle United in a purely Premier League showdown, a fixture that offers another opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and keep alive the hope of securing silverware for the first time in three decades. For Wolves, the focus will shift to recovering Jiménez from injury and preparing for the upcoming derby against West Brom, a match that will test the depth of Peixoto's squad after the extensive changes made in the cup tie. Both clubs will reflect on the lessons learned from this encounter: Everton's ability to find a winner from the bench and Wolves' resilience despite a heavily altered lineup.
The Carabao Cup continues to provide drama and surprise, and fans can anticipate further excitement as the competition progresses.