SILVA GETS THAT SINKING FELINE
It is not just a black cat bringing bad luck to Everton boss as Wolves toy with his team
THERE was, briefly, some enjoyment. For two minutes i n the second half, t he home crowd laughed and cheered as the action in the penalty area unfolded.
A black cat wandered in and scuttled from one end of Goodison Park to the other before disappearing into the shadows.
Black cats traditionally are harbingers of bad luck. It is the same in Portugal, so it was little wonder that Marco Silva did not see the amusement.
Mind you, he was so shocked at the state in which his team had torn asunder that nothing could have changed his mood.
Wolves recorded their first win at this stadium since September 1979 and there was nothing flattering about the size of their victory.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side consolidated seventh place with a fluent display, one that was aided by some horrible Everton defending.
Through Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker, Wolves scored three to render Andre Gomes’s sparkling strike irrelevant and the more you watch this polished and progressive team, the more they go up in your estimation. Wolves, be under no illusion, are a team on the march.
There was little chance of them coming to Merseyside, hoping to pinch something, the intent was clear from the first whistle.
Within seven minutes, Wolves had the lead but the manner in which Everton conceded did little for Silva’s state of mind.
When Matt Doherty got the wrong side of Leighton Baines, the danger rose as the veteran full-back got in a tangle. He tumbled over, taking Doherty with him, and Lee Mason swiftly pointed to the spot.
Neves dispatched the penalty with aplomb, sending Jordan Pickford the wrong way. What promised to be a difficult task for Everton suddenly became a significantly greater challenge and the silence of the home supporters amplified their tensions.
There was clearly apprehension Wolves might quickly take the contest away from them.
Everton did not instantly submerge. They were indebted to Pickford — whose fine save thwarted the impressive Dendoncker in the 20th minute — for keeping them in the contest and, shortly after, they were level with a superb goal. Gomes showed why Evertonians hold him in such high regard when he thrashed an angled drive beyond Rui Patricio from 20 yards.
The problem with Everton now, though, is that everything feels so fragile. Normally a goal of such quality would ignite the crowd and spark a period of pressure.
But Wolves were able to roll this particular punch and were soon back on top, taking the lead on the stroke of half-time. Again the manner in which Pickford was beaten was ridiculous.
Michael Keane needlessly fouled Diogo Jota and Joao Moutinho’s inswinging free-kick from 40 yards picked out Jimenez, who guided a thumping header beyond the England international.
It was a ridiculous time to concede and the way in which Silva glowered towards his players left you in no doubt his feelings but here is the thing: Everton have now shipped 16 goals from set-pieces in all competitions, a statistic that is not so much bad luck but a form of vandalism.
‘We gave them things that are not normal at this level of football,’ said Silva. ‘I’m seeing things I really do not like. We have to be honest and it is up to us to solve these problems.
‘It is happening often, more than normal. We keep doing the same things.’ Namely gifting soft goals.
Wolves dominated the hosts in the second period, ensuring there was no hope of a big comeback as they used the ball intelligently and always threatened on the counter.
They had them where they wanted them and killed the contest in the 66th minute.
Dendoncker, such a powerful figure in the centre of midfield, provided the final blow. Jota raced into the area and after Kurt Zouma blocked his shot, the Belgian was on hand to finish with a flourish, thrashing a left-footed volley into the roof of the net.
As the Wolves players celebrated in front of the Bullens Road, you could hear the clatter of seats from Evertonians as the ground began to empty with 24 minutes to go.
‘This process started more than 18 months ago,’ said Nuno. ‘The same people, same players, trying to fight solutions and improve. We still have a long way to go. If you have the desire and hunger; you are always able to fight.’
Evertons humbled players should listen to those words. Wolves were flying, Everton were floundering.