Everton powered clear of the relegation zone with a remarkable 4-0 win over Wolves at Goodison Park in which Craig Dawson scored two own goals.
Ashley Young’s free-kick curled the Toffees in front early on and, though James Tarkowski had a header disallowed following a VAR check, Orel Mangala’s deflected effort later in the half doubled Everton’s lead and Wolves’ set-piece woe continued in the second half.
Dawson could only divert Dwight McNeil’s right-wing corner into his own net and then did something very similar from the same player’s free-kick. It was an emphatic performance by Everton from set-piece situations, Sean Dyche football at its best.
Gary O’Neil could point to some good work from Jordan Pickford and a bad miss by striker Jorgen Strand Larsen when the game was still in the balance, but Wolves’ inability to deal with Everton’s set-pieces was the story of the match. The details count.
Wolves’ struggles in that regard leave them in the relegation zone, three points from safety. But this was a big win for Everton, one that puts them five points clear of Wolves and ends a five-game winless run ahead of the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
Ashley Young celebrates after giving Everton the lead
Wolves fans turn on O’Neil
O’Neil was under pressure coming into this game but that will intensify after such a hapless performance in what Wolves would have regarded as a winnable game. The raggedness of the display and the failure to pay attention to the details does not reflect well.
Wolves parted company with set-piece coach Jack Wilson in October, a decision that will come under more scrutiny following a game in which O’Neil’s team conceded all four goals from set-piece situations and were fortunate to get away with a fifth.
There is talent in the team but there is little chance of that saving Wolves if they defend this poorly, following up conceding four at home to Bournemouth by shipping another four here. This is the worst defence in the Premier League and that leaves O’Neil vulnerable.
The Wolves supporters inside the stadium ran through a series of chants for O’Neil’s departure, questioning substitutions, the quality of his football and his future at the club. They finished by turning on owners Fosun, which is rarely good for the coach.
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Gary O’Neil said he accepts full responsibility and won’t shy away from fan criticism
O’Neil’s view on fan criticism
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil speaking in the press conference:
“I’m happy to go over there to see them because I appreciate every single one of the Wolves’ fan base because they’ve given me unbelievable support since I arrived at the football club.
“In a tough moment, we managed to produce some unbelievable stuff last season. Away at Stamford Bridge, away at Tottenham, away at our rivals West Brom.
“With a team that was obviously heavily tipped by most of the nation for relegation, we were nowhere near it ever. And we managed to enjoy all of that together. So now that it’s tough, I’m happy to go over there and look them right in the face and take any criticism that they want to throw at me.
“Because I accept responsibility for all of my part in that. There are a lot of parts that have led to where we are at this moment. But for my part in that, I’m happy to accept full responsibility.
“And whatever criticism they want to throw at me will not change the way I feel about them and what they’ve given me over the last 15 months.”
