AliousWolves battled to a well-earned draw against Everton at Molineux, with several players stepping up in crucial moments to secure the result.
With Ipswich Town dropping points late against Crystal Palace and Leicester City yet to play, Wolves’ draw against the Toffees proved valuable in the grand scheme of their campaign. The performance also marked a notable improvement from their 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park earlier in the season, highlighting the progress made under Vitor Pereira.
Munetsi Opens His Account, but Sa Steals the Spotlight
January signing Marshall Munetsi marked his first goal for Wolves, helping his side claim an important point. However, it was goalkeeper José Sá who ultimately prevented the Old Gold from suffering a frustrating defeat.
Despite Wolves controlling much of the match, Everton nearly snatched a second-half lead. In the 71st minute, Beto found himself in a one-on-one situation with Sá, poised to break the deadlock against the run of play. However, the Portuguese shot-stopper reacted instantly, diving low to turn the effort away from danger.
Sá’s crucial intervention did not go unnoticed, earning him praise from Express & Star* reporters Nathan Judah and Liam Keen. Judah emphasized the significance of the moment: *”That save against Beto—that’s what got them [Wolves] a point. He deserves credit for that.”*
Keen echoed the sentiment, highlighting the precision of Sá’s technique: *”Everton broke forward, and Sá had one big moment. He timed it perfectly, pushed the shot away, and ultimately salvaged a point for Wolves.”*
Sá Justifies Pereira’s Faith After Recent Criticism
Heading into the fixture, speculation swirled over whether Pereira would start Sá or opt for Sam Johnstone, who had impressed in Wolves’ FA Cup loss to Bournemouth. Ultimately, the manager stuck with his first-choice keeper, a decision that paid dividends.
Sá’s display against Everton was particularly satisfying given the scrutiny he has faced this season. He endured heavy criticism following a costly error against Fulham, with pundit Clinton Morrison labeling his performance “ridiculous” after a mistake led to Fulham’s winning goal. Jamie Carragher also weighed in on the keeper’s struggles, describing his campaign as “awful.”
Despite those setbacks, Sá delivered when it mattered most against Everton, proving his worth with a vital stop to deny Beto. While Wolves couldn’t secure all three points, their goalkeeper ensured they didn’t walk away empty-handed.
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