'Lot of potential' - Cesar Peixoto hails Wolves star after fine debut

Portuguese shot-stopper Virginia, 26, made a string of top saves against former club Everton on Wednesday night before the Hill Dickinson Stadium hosts forced a late Carabao Cup winner through Charly Alcaraz.

Virginia, who left Everton in 2025, denied Thierno Barry with a spectacular reaction save in the first period and made a fine stop in the second period to deny Brennan Johnson on his Wolves bow.

It was a bright first display in Wolves colours for the £1.3million summer signing from Sporting Lisbon, who looks set to play a role as compatriot Jose Sa’s understudy at Molineux this season.

Peixoto told the Express & Star: "I'm happy for him, but we know his quality.

"Because of that we brought Joao to our team. He has a lot of potential as a young player.

"It's good for him to play his first match. For us, for 90 minutes, he put us in the game.”

Peixoto was reluctant to praise just one performer as a much-changed side, featuring nine alterations, held Everton for large spells until substitute Alcaraz’s finish 10 minutes from time.

The night was soured by striker Raul Jimenez’s first-half knee injury, which Peixoto confirmed will sideline the Mexican for Sunday’s Black Country derby against Albion at Molineux.

But the head coach was satisfied with other performances, including a first start for bright Newcastle loanee Sean Neave and Wolves debut for left-back recruit Ghislain Konan.

"But not only Joao, also Sean Neave, and other players did good,” the head coach added. “Some tired in the second half, but Tommy Doyle did good, Boubacar (Traore) did good. A lot of players stayed at the high level.

"(Ghislain) Konan in his first game stayed well. I'm happy with the effort of all the players, they stayed organised and played with the ball to the box of the opposing team.

"I don't like to only talk about one player because I think all the team played in a good level."

Everton had the lion share of the opportunities in the third round clash but Wolves’ Jimenez replacement, Adam Armstrong, saw a good chance early in the second half go begging.

The Molineux men face a quick turnaround for Sunday’s noon clash against Albion.

"I thought we did a good game, we competed against a Premier League strong team,” added Peixoto.

"We did a lot of changes and some players had the space to show their character and personality.

"A lot of young players did a great job. The team stayed organised over a lot of time. When we had to stay deep we stayed organised and when we tried to play we played.

"We stayed until the end and tried to equalise. I'm happy with the job we did but not the result."