Wolves suffer late EFL Cup defeat at Everton after major injury scare

Wolves suffered a major injury scare ahead of Sunday’s Black Country derby as they were beaten late on by Everton in the EFL Cup.

Charly Alcaraz’s 80th-minute strike condemned Wolves to a third-round exit, but the biggest concern for supporters was seeing star striker Raul Jimenez receive treatment before trudging off with a grimace.

His withdrawal just before half-time will be a major worry with Wolves facing West Brom at Molineux on Sunday.

Jimenez had Wolves’ first and most meaningful effort of the opening period, curling a free-kick just over the top-right corner.

Everton responded well and began to put Cesar Peixoto’s side under increasing pressure. Some home supporters thought they had seen the opening goal when Jake O’Brien beat Jordan James at the near post, but his header hit the side-netting.

Debutant Joao Virginia then had to palm away a long-range effort from Hayden Hackney before producing an outstanding save approaching half-time to deny Thierno Barry.

Barry met James Garner’s cross unmarked inside the six-yard box and looked certain to score, but Virginia reacted brilliantly to keep Wolves level against his former side.

The major talking point, though, was the enforced withdrawal of Jimenez.

The forward appeared to hurt his left knee after making a defensive challenge just outside Wolves’ penalty area and was unable to continue.

His inclusion had already come as something of a surprise given Sunday’s derby, and the injury will now be a major concern with the clash against West Brom just days away.

Jimenez missed both Black Country derbies played behind closed doors in 2021 following the serious head injury he suffered against Arsenal in November 2020.

His replacement, Adam Armstrong, came closest to giving Wolves the lead before the hour mark, seeing a shot well saved by Jordan Pickford after brilliant work by Sean Neave.

Wolves then lived a charmed life and were further indebted to Virginia, who made several superb stops to keep them level, notably when Brennan Johnson raced through on goal.

But after repeatedly knocking on the door, Everton finally found the breakthrough when substitute Alcaraz turned Toti in the box before firing low into the bottom-left corner.

Wolves XI

Virginia, Tchatchoua (Trippier, 73), Toti, Krejci (Djiga, 46), Konan, Boubacar, James (Bellegarde, 63), Doyle, Chirewa (Bertrand, 73), Neave, Jimenez (Armstrong, 38).

Unused subs: Ruddy, Bueno, Munetsi, Mane.