Everton 2 Wolves 1

Wolves' revival suffered a jolt as they went down to a just-about-deserved defeat to Everton.

In a poor game, it was a tale of two penalties as Stephen Hunt put Mick McCarthy's side in front in the 37th minute and Leighton Baines grabbed the winner from the spot on 83, after his free kick was headed in by captain Phil Jagielka a minute before the break.

There was little doubt about either penalty as Marouane Fellaini tripped David Edwards for the first, before Stephen Ward shoved Louis Saha to the ground for Everton's.

It was also harsh on Ward, who had saved a certain goal when he produced a superb point-blank block from Cahill in the 70th minute.

In a game of few chances, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was Wolves' man of the match for a highly assured performance in which he produced a fine save to palm away Saha's first-half volley, catching a stream of crosses before and after.

Along with the result, which means Wolves haven't beaten Everton in seven Premier League meetings, McCarthy's side suffered another blow.

Defender Richard Stearman suffered what appeared to be a broken hand after falling awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Tim Cahill.

McCarthy made one change to the side that beat Wigan 3-1 two weeks ago with the return of Nenad Milijas for Adlene Guedioura in midfield, for only the Serbia international's second Premier League start of the season.

The big news from the Everton camp was that Jack Rodwell was absent from the 18 after making his full England debut in midweek, with what was claimed to be a stomach pull.

Both teams played cagey and looked a little nervy for most of the first-half, as befits the struggles each team has had in recent games.

The only noteworthy action before the goals came when Hennessey brilliantly tipped over a bouncing volley from Saha from the edge of the six-yard box, after Cahill headed down a cross by Seamus Coleman.

A largely forgettable first-half only livened up when Wolves won a penalty in the 37th minute, after Fellaini stuck out a leg to trip Edwards.

Hunt stepped up to confidently smash the ball down the middle, sending goalkeeper Tim Howard the wrong way for his second conversion in as many away games after his strike at Manchester City.

Everton, who had had by far the most of the play without threatening, equalised a minute from the break when Jagielka rose above Roger Johnson to head home Baines' superb free kick.

The first part of the second half mirrored much of the first with little incident.

But Wolves had to make a change in the 59th minute when Stearman was forced off with what appeared to be a broken right hand.

George Elokobi replaced him, meaning yet another position change for Stephen Ward at right-back.

Everton had plenty of possession and forced numerous crosses, but presented little danger to the visiting defence.

And, as the half wore on, there was no shortage of frustration expressed by the Goodison Park crowd.

Everton thought they had earned the breakthough in the 70th minute, though, only for Ward to produce a superb block to stop a certain goal to deny Cahill, after Seamus Coleman beat Elokobi to cross and Saha flicked on.

From conceding a penalty to go behind in the first-half, the home side took the lead with one in the second.

It was another which didn't look a difficult decision to make for the referee to make, as Ward clearly pushed Saha to the ground as they challenged for a Royston Drenthe's corner.

Baines stepped up to roll the spot-kick to Hennessey's right to put Everton in front.

Wolves only had a free kick from Jamie O'Hara, which whistled just wide in injury-time, to show for their efforts after that.