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Michael Keane maintained in-form Everton\u2019s Champions League challenge after a 2-1 win at Wolves.<\/p>\nMichael Keane maintained in-form Everton\u2019s Champions League challenge after a 2-1 win at Wolves.<\/p>\n
The defender\u2019s second-half header lifted the Toffees back into the Premier League\u2019s top four.<\/p>\n
Ruben Neves cancelled out Alex Iwobi\u2019s first league goal for 17 months as the teams traded early blows.<\/p>\n
But Keane\u2019s far post header secured victory, although Neves hit the woodwork with a late free-kick, to leave Carlo Ancelotti\u2019s side back in the European picture.<\/p>\n
Wolves have now won just once in eight league games since Raul Jimenez fractured his skull at the end of November and they dropped to 14th.<\/p>\n
Last season\u2019s 3-0 defeat at Molineux in July left the Toffees 11th and boss Ancelotti furious as he questioned their spirit and blasted an \u201cunacceptable\u201d display.<\/p>\n
This time the visitors came away back in the top four after a fifth win in six games to underline their progress.<\/p>\n
They were robbed of 14-goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the striker out with a hamstring injury but Iwobi eased concerns over his absence after just six minutes.<\/p>\n
James Rodriguez\u2019s measured pass found Lucas Digne and his cushioned volley was met by the onrushing and unmarked Iwobi to produce a first-time finish from 16 yards into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
It was the forward\u2019s first Premier League goal since he scored against Wolves in September 2019.<\/p>\n
It also meant the hosts have now conceded first in 10 of their last 11 league games but they trailed for just eight minutes.<\/p>\n
Tom Davies conceded a soft corner which Yerry Mina only half cleared and Rayan Ait-Nouri skipped down the left. His drilled cross was volleyed in by Neves for his second goal in two league games.<\/p>\n
Three minutes later only a sharp Jordan Pickford stop denied Fabio Silva and Rui Patricio saved from Iwobi soon after.<\/p>\n
Iwobi should have done better and it was the final chance of an entertaining first half, despite the game failing to build on the early drama.<\/p>\n
Two well-matched teams struggled to find the same fluency after the break, though, although Leander Dendoncker headed over Joao Moutinho\u2019s free-kick.<\/p>\n
It came after Abdoulaye Doucoure was booked for chopping down Pedro Neto and the midfielder will now miss the Toffees\u2019 next game.<\/p>\n
Wolves are yet to find the consistency which propelled them to Europe and, without Jimenez, look unlikely to challenge again this season after another lightweight display.<\/p>\n
Neves was close to a spectacular second when his 30-yard volley dipped just wide with 20 minutes left but the hosts never prized Everton open.<\/p>\n
Richarlison was introduced to give the visitors some impetus but it was Keane who grabbed the winner with 13 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n
Andre Gomes worked space on the left and his teasing cross was powered in at the far post by the England defender.<\/p>\n
Neves\u2019 free-kick then clipped the bar with five minutes to go but Wolves could not find a leveler.<\/p>\n