There was a moment of respite for Everton at Goodison Park when a black cat stopped play with a tour of the pitch. Among the cruellest observations was the invader covered more ground during its three-minute cameo in the second half than anyone in a blue shirt over the rest of the game.

Everton ended the 3-1 defeat resembling pussycats against a pack of Wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side consolidating their position as the Premier League’s best of the rest in 7th. “In Portugal a black cat is bad luck,” said Nuno. For his compatriot Marco Silva, perhaps.

Most newly promoted sides are content with a season of consolidation. Wolves are destined for more, with as high a finish as any moving from the Championship in the last 20 years.

They were better balanced and clinical after being gifted a sixth minute lead when Leighton Baines clumsily shoved Matt Doherty – Ruben Neves converting the penalty. Despite Andre Gomes' emphatic finish to equalise, Everton set-piece failings undermined once more.

Raul Jimenez converted with a free header on the stroke of half-time, before one of several second-half counter attacks enabled Leander Dendoncker to extend the advantage. It could have been more.