Everton and Wolves. It sounds like a standard mid-table Premier League clash, doesn't it? But if you’ve been watching lately, especially that chaotic 1-1 draw at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium on January 7, 2026, you know it’s becoming anything but routine. We aren’t just talking about football anymore. We’re talking about hair-pulling, VAR marathons, and a survival race that feels like a fever dream for the Old Gold faithful.
Honestly, the January 2026 meeting was a mess. A beautiful, high-stakes mess. Everton, under David Moyes, looked like they were cruising after Michael Keane—who has arguably had the most "main character" season of his career—smashed one into the top corner in the 17th minute. But Wolves are different now. Under Rob Edwards, they have this annoying habit of just... staying in the game. When Mateus Mané equalized in the 69th minute, he didn’t just score a goal; he became the youngest Wolves player ever to score in back-to-back Premier League games. At 18, the kid is basically carrying the offensive hopes of Molineux on his shoulders.
What Most People Get Wrong About Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. vs Everton F.C.
People think this is a "new" rivalry born of the Premier League era. It's not. These two have been at it since 1888. The first time they met, Wolves won 5-0. That’s a long time to hold a grudge.
Most fans focus on the "Portuguese Wolves" era or the Toffees' financial struggles, but the real story is the tactical shifting between these two. Everton has historically dominated the win count—65 wins to Wolves' 52 across 147 meetings—but the momentum has flipped. Before the 2024/2025 season, Everton went six games without beating Wolves. It’s a psychological hurdle. Even with their shiny new stadium and a massive 51,768 crowd, Everton looked rattled the moment Wolves introduced Jorgen Strand Larsen off the bench.
The Red Card Chaos of 2026
If you missed the match on January 7, count yourself lucky for your blood pressure's sake. Michael Keane, who went from hero to villain in record time, got a straight red card for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair. You can’t make this up.
Then came Jack Grealish. Yes, Grealish in an Everton shirt still feels a bit like a glitch in the matrix. He’s been their creative spark, leading the team with 6 assists this season, but his temperament remains... well, Jack. He got sent off seven minutes after Keane for dissent. Two red cards in one game. Everton finished with nine men, clinging to a point only because Jordan Pickford decided to pull off a save against Hugo Bueno that shouldn't have been physically possible.
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The Statistical Reality of the Relegation Battle
As of January 17, 2026, the Premier League table tells a grim story for Wolves. They are sitting in 20th place.
Wait. Don't panic.
They have a game in hand and have finally found some form. Before 2026 hit, they hadn't won a single league game. Not one. Then they battered West Ham -0, drew with United, and snatched that point against Everton. They have 14 points. It’s a mountain to climb, but the "resurgence" the media is buzzing about isn't just hype.
Everton is in a different boat. They’re 12th with 29 points. Safe? Kinda. But David Moyes looked fuming in his post-match interview after the Wolves draw. They’ve won only one of their last six. If you’re an Evertonian, you’re looking at that 1-1 draw as two points dropped against the bottom side, especially after Keane hit the post and nearly made it 2-0.
Head-to-Head: The Recent Numbers
- Total Meetings: 147
- Everton Wins: 65
- Wolves Wins: 52
- Draws: 30
- Most Recent Score: 1-1 (January 7, 2026)
- Last 5 PL Meetings: Wolves have only lost one (a 4-0 thumping in Dec 2024 where Craig Dawson scored two own goals—tough day at the office).
Key Players to Watch (And Who’s Missing)
The injury lists for both sides look like medical textbooks. Wolves are missing Toti Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. That hurts. They also have Emmanuel Agbadou away at AFCON with the Ivory Coast. It’s why Rob Edwards is relying so heavily on the youth.
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Everton isn't doing much better. Jarrad Branthwaite—who many expected to be sold for £80m by now—is still sidelined with a hamstring issue. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is out too. This forced Moyes to give a full league debut to 19-year-old Harrison Armstrong against Wolves. The kid actually looked decent, but you could tell he was gassed by the 70th minute.
The Mané Factor
Mateus Mané is the name everyone is googling. He’s 18. He’s clinical. In a season where Wolves have struggled to find the net, he’s providing a spark that Jorgen Strand Larsen (who has 3 goals) and Hee-Chan Hwang (2 assists) haven't quite managed to sustain. If Wolves stay up, Mané's January form will be the reason.
What Really Happened With the Move to Hill Dickinson Stadium?
For decades, Goodison Park was the bogeyman for Wolves. The "Old Lady" was tight, loud, and intimidating. Moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Vauxhall was supposed to usher in a new era of dominance for Everton.
But is the atmosphere the same? Against Wolves, the frustration was audible. When Everton "let matters drift" in the second half, the crowd turned. It’s a 50,000+ seater stadium, and when that many people get quiet or restless, the pressure on the home players is immense. Wolves actually seemed to thrive on it. They played with more freedom in the second half than they have all season.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at the upcoming fixtures or trying to figure out where these two clubs are headed, here is the ground truth.
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1. Watch the discipline. Everton’s red cards aren't just a fluke; they reflect a team that is stretched thin and getting frustrated. With Grealish and Keane suspended for the upcoming matches, Moyes has a selection nightmare. If you're betting or playing fantasy, avoid Everton defenders for a bit.
2. The 70-minute mark is the "Wolves Window." Rob Edwards has figured out his bench. Bringing on Strand Larsen changed the game against Everton. Wolves are starting to look like a team that finishes stronger than they start.
3. The relegation "Great Escape" is on. Wolves are 20th, but their ELO rating and xG (expected goals) suggest they are playing like a 15th-place team. They just need to stop hitting the post.
4. Keep an eye on AFCON returns. Both teams are missing vital players. Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye returning to Everton will stabilize their midfield. For Wolves, getting Agbadou back will finally give them a cohesive back three again.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. vs Everton F.C. story isn't over for the 2025/26 season. They meet again soon, and if Wolves are still fighting for their lives, expect that match to be even more explosive than the hair-pulling chaos we just witnessed.
To stay ahead of the curve on this rivalry, you should track the recovery timelines for Jarrad Branthwaite and Toti Gomes, as their presence usually dictates the clean-sheet potential for both sides. Additionally, monitor Mateus Mané’s minutes; if his workload isn't managed carefully, Wolves risk burning out their only consistent scoring threat before the crucial March fixtures.