Analysis: Wolves

Wolves set up in a 3-4-3 in possession and enjoyed the majority of it for large parts of the game. Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves, the two central midfielders, would dictate the play, receiving from the centre-backs before looking to distribute the ball to the attackers. The wing-backs Matt Doherty and Jonny Castro would advance high up the pitch, pushing wide attackers Diogo Jota and Helder Costa inside to play closer to Raul Jimenez and pin the Everton back four back in the process.

The movement of the front three was dangerous and posed problems for their opponents. Jimenez would often look to threaten in behind, while Costa and/or Jota would come short. This resulted in Everton’s back line having to drop or hold their position as a unit – either way, a Wolves player would be able to get on the ball. On other occasions, Jimenez would drop in and the other attacking players would look to run beyond him.

While play would build on one side, it would be common for the far-side attacker and the advancing full-back to overload the Everton full-back. As a result, the long, diagonal pass (another common feature) would reach the widest player when the opposition full-back stayed put, or if the full-back pressed the ball the receiver would be able to play it first time inside to his supporting teammate. This tended to happen on Wolves’ right, in what may have been an attempt to take advantage of Richarlison’s inexperience on the Everton left.

Wolves began the game by pressing high when out of possession, with their front three looking to disrupt Everton’s build-up. Jimenez, Jota and Costa would press when Michael Keane or Phil Jagielka were in possession, unless they had plenty of time and space. If the centre-backs had been pressed and the ball was worked to a full-back, Wolves would drop off to a mid-block in order to prevent penetration. When Wolves were unable to close the ball or if Everton evaded the press, they would drop to a 5-3-2 mid-block.

As the game progressed, Wolves increasingly dropped into a mid-block and decided to allow Everton to bring the ball out. With the Toffees reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time, they might have considered this their best tactic to take advantage of the extra player they had on the pitch.