Express & Star

Wolves 2 Everton 2 – player ratings

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers rates the players after an opening-day draw with Everton.

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Rui Patricio

One of four debutants in the Wolves side and he had a steady evening between the sticks. On first glance (and from pre-season friendlies) he doesn't command his area as well as John Ruddy but his shot-stopping ability is world class. Couldn't really be faulted for either goal and he made a good save from Tosun. 6/10

Ryan Bennett

Nuno got the band back together as he reinstated Bennett to the back three following the Saiss pre-season experiment. Bennett was the pick of the central defenders, producing an assured performance and taking his chance which means he should be in the XI next weekend. One fantastic tackle on the rampaging Richarlison, too. 7/10

Conor Coady

The former Liverpool man made his Premier League debut in front of the watching Gareth Southgate, who saw first-hand Coady's main qualities – sensing danger, clearing the lines, leadership, organisation and getting Wolves on the attack. There were a couple of rash moments though including one which him fall short for a loose ball and Everton should have scored on the counter. 6/10

Willy Boly

Was this the real Willy Boly? Or a cheap clone/impersonator? Well below his incredibly high usual standards...mis-kicked for an early chance, didn't deal with the free kick for the opener and was caught out of position on at least a couple of occasions. Let's hope for Wolves' sake the brick wall returns from his holiday sooner rather than later. 5/10

Matt Doherty

A solid display from Doherty who put in a big shift as usual bombing up and down that right flank. Got forward when he could to set up a couple of chances including a decent one for Jimenez. Defensively he held his own. 7/10

Joao Moutinho

Everyone's aware of the quality this man has in possession but what most impressed here was his work rate. Moutinho just never stopped. Like his younger midfield partner his technique his pure and he moves the ball quickly and precisely. Fitness-wise he's not there yet and needed to be replaced late on. 7/10

Ruben Neves

You know when your first-born child goes to school for the first time, you're nervous and upset, but they have a great day and show everyone how amazing they are? Ruben Neves' Premier League debut couldn't have gone any better and there were thousands of very proud Wolves fans delighted that their little star showed the world how good he is. Fantasy Premier League managers are now well aware they shouldn't ask this correspondent for tips on which Wolves players to include in their team ("he only scored six last season and doesn't do assists") after his stunning goal and perfect assist to announce himself on the Premier League stage. His piercing passes weren't as prevalent owing to a lack of space but that'll come. Oh and he really, really hates shooting from inside the box doesn't he? 8/10

Jonny Castro Otto

Functional and quietly impressive. We know he hasn't really got a left foot, let's just accept it. He was a regular at left back for Celta Vigo, providing very few goals or assists, but was said to be defensively excellent – and that's how it looks after his Wolves debut too. Full of running, as he has to be in that position, but won't get on the overlap (hence Ruben Vinagre's late introduction) too often. Solid. 7/10

Helder Costa

Not really Helder's day. Had minimal space and ran down a few blind alleys. Needs to sharpen up pronto with the considerable shadow of Adama Traore looming large. 6/10

Raul Jimenez

A really impressive debut. The guy just does not stop running – he's the Duracell bunny, Speedy Gonzalez and Forrest Gump rolled into one. A workhorse who holds the ball up well and can link the play...he's basically the Mexican Leo Bonatini. Nice play for his big moment, the equalising goal, when he peeled off his man and emphatically headed home. 8/10

Diogo Jota

A bit more involved than Costa but a similar conclusion. Came deep a lot to try and effect play but with Everton's midfield so deep he could rarely wriggle free. More to come from him though as we all know. 6/10

Substitutes

Leo Bonatini (for Costa, 67)

Didn't make a huge impact, no opportunities in front of goal, but kept Everton's back line honest and got stuck in. 6/10

Ruben Vinagre (for Otto, 76)

Never really got the opportunity Nuno will have wanted him to, i.e. get in behind on the overlap or whip in a left-footed cross. 5/10

Morgan Gibbs-White (for Moutinho, 84)

Replaced the tiring Moutinho and made his first Premier League appearance aged 18. The first of many. N/A

Subs not used: Ruddy, Hause, Saiss, Enobakhare.