Everton player ratings after the 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup at Molineux
21:49, 23 Sep 2025Updated 22:02, 23 Sep 2025
ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley has covered Everton and Liverpool both in the Premier League and abroad since 2005. He cut his teeth in professional sports journalism at the Ellesmere Port Pioneer and then the Welsh edition of the Daily Post, where he also covered Manchester United.
Prior to that he worked on the student newspaper Pluto at the University of Central Lancashire, a role in which he first encountered David Moyes. Chris is well-known for his sartorial elegance and the aforementioned Scottish manager once enquired of him at a press conference: “Is that your dad’s suit you’ve got on?” while the tradition continued in 2023 with new Blues boss Sean Dyche complimenting him on his smart appearance.
Ndiaye shows his frustration after missing a chance (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
In the build-up to this game, Everton centre-back James Tarkowski had spoken about there being an emphasis on the cups for a club who have entered a new dawn with their move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium but instead the defeat brings an early end to one of their two realistic hopes to end the longest-ever trophy drought in their history that now extends back over 30 years.
The first goal of the game arrived just before the half-hour mark as the Blues’ veteran captain Seamus Coleman failed to judge the flight of a ball into the box and Wolves’ Jhon Arias struck it wickedly on the volley.
With England number one Jordan Pickford one of those Everton regulars being given the night off, understudy Mark Travers did well enough to claw Arias’ effort away but it fell straight to the feet of Zimbabwe international Marshall Munetsi – whose first goal for Wolves came against the same opponents in a 1-1 draw in the Premier League on March 8 this year – fired home emphatically at the back post.
READ MORE: Wolves vs Everton LIVE – Munetsi and Arokodare goals, score, commentary stream
Wolves sealed their passage into the last 16 with a clincher a couple of minutes before full-time when Arokodare latched on to a ball over the top and coolly dinked the ball over the advancing Travers.
Mark Travers 6
Deputising for Jordan Pickford, he made a spectacular save to keep out Jhon Arias’ volley only for Marshall Munetsi to fire in the rebound at the back post and then could do nothing about substitute Tolu Arokodare’s deft effort that was floated over his head for the second.
Jake O’Brien 6
Got forward quite effectively in the first half, he was a threat with his crosses with one finding Barry at the back post and long throw-ins, picking out Keane for his header, he faded after the break.
Seamus Coleman 5
A rare start these days for the club captain but while he was helping the team where they need him, he was out of position at left-back and unable to judge the bounce that led to Arias’ shot setting up the goal.
James Tarkowski 6
Pretty steady and doesn’t need the armband to remain an on-field leader, as someone who relishes a physical battle, he curiously seemed to passed Jorgen Strand Larsen on to Keane.
Michael Keane 7
Was one of Everton’s few bright spots, denied a headed goal by a smart save by Sam Johnstone who tipped his effort over the bar while also showed his aerial prowess and bravery at the other end, being caught by Jhon Arias’ high boot when making a clearance.
James Garner 7
Struck the crossbar with a free-kick from a wide area in the second half, he was industrious having stepped up as the ‘senior partner’ in the engine room with Idrissa Gueye on the bench.
Tim Iroegbunam 5
Back in the side having been dropped for the derby, he failed to impose himself on proceedings and Everton have never beaten a Premier League side when he’s been in the starting line-up.
Tyler Dibling 5
Everton’s biggest signing of the summer had their first big chance of the night but blazed his shot over the bar when played through by Alcaraz and despite some silky touches, he looked to still be finding his feet on his inaugural start and the former Southampton wonderkid still has a long way to go.
Charly Alcaraz 6
Has struggled for starts since becoming a permanent Everton player due to further summer signings, but having been the most polished of the trio behind the striker in the first half, trying to knit the midfield with the attack and picking out Dibling for his opportunity, could perhaps count himself unfortunate to get the hook first.
Dwight McNeil 5
Having been a regular for almost three seasons, the former Burnley man has been fallen down the pecking order more than anyone so far this season because of the acquisitions in attacking midfield roles but showed little on the left wing to suggest he’ll be getting back in soon for a Premier League game.
Thierno Barry 5
Still awaiting his first Everton goal, the £27million summer signing’s frustrations were summed up when he picked up an unnecessary yellow card for petulantly kicking the ball away when a decision went against him by the right-wing touchline having earlier been off target with a couple of headed efforts and he was replaced at the interval.
SUBS
Beto (on 46 for Barry) 5
He and Barry continue to share the striking responsibilities with neither of them setting the world alight, he held the ball up better here but couldn’t test the keeper.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (on 46 for Alcaraz) 5
Was brought on the for the start of the second half in the hope he could add to his only goal for Everton so far that came here on August 30, but it was a frustrating night.
Jack Grealish (on 59 for McNeil) 6
The Brummie and former Aston Villa man was barracked by the home fans when he came on and despite getting into a few spats, nothing came off for him.
Iliman Ndiaye (on 59 for Dibling) 5
Not one of his best showings, he mis-controlled an inviting opportunity at the back post.
Vitalii Mykolenko (on 78 for Coleman) 5
More question marks at Molineux for him as he lost his man for the late second goal clincher.