Wolverhampton Wanderers

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

We have only just gone past the halfway stage of the Premier League season, so how much can really be read into predictions?

For supporters of Wolves, Burnley and West Ham, they will be hoping not very much.

Leeds and Nottingham Forest, however? They would breathe a bit more easily.

Throughout the season, Opta's "supercomputer" is continually predicting how the final table might look and what percentage chance clubs have of winning the title, finishing top four, in Europe and also relegation.

But for those teams currently occupying the relegation spots in the Premier League, they may want to avert their gaze.

Having only just picked up their first win last weekend, most Wolves fans will have been settled on the fact they would be returning to the Championship come the end of the season.

And Opta's predictions would suggest the same.

Of course, 14 points off 17th place with 17 games to go, it is still very much mathematically possible to save themselves - and with five points in three games there has been an uptick in form - but with a predicted chance of survival of just 0.73%, it would take something incredibly special.

Burnley's return to the top flight has not been the easiest.

While the Clarets have been picking up points, it has not been at the rate needed to get themselves out of the danger zone.

Another point was accrued against Manchester United on Wednesday night, taking them one point behind West Ham in 18th but, with Nottingham Forest's win over the Hammers on Tuesday, it still leaves Burnley eight points off safety.

Like Wolves, Opta's statistics and simulations suggest Scott Parker's side will be back in the second tier next term, with just a 6.59% survival chance unless they can start turning more draws into wins and eking out points from the narrow defeats.

As for West Ham, the defeat by Forest could prove to be one of the most damaging for their season.

A classic six-pointer, a win could have seen them close the gap to just one point. Instead, it sits at seven and sees them with a now 88.76% chance of relegation.

The change of manager from Graham Potter to Nuno Espirito Santo is yet to have the desired effect and both the head coach and the ownership are coming under pressure from the fanbase.

It was pressure that Daniel Farke was feeling at Leeds before their turnaround in results that has left them with just a 7.49% chance of relegation, while Sean Dyche may once again be steering a team to Premier League safety with a less than 10% chance of dropping out of the top flight.

But this is the Premier League, and teams have upset the odds before.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Mateus Mane has been on the radar as a bright, young prospect at Wolves for some time and his impact at first-team level has been immediate.

Following some promising cameos from the bench, the former Rochdale academy player has started all of Wolves' past four Premier League games. They have yielded five points for his team and two goals expertly taken by the 18-year-old.

Admittedly much quieter than he had been in the 3-0 win against West Ham - boss Rob Edwards said afterwards that he "wasn't 100% in terms of his energy" - Portugal-born Mane provided one of the few moments of real attacking quality that Wolves produced against Everton.

The England Under-18 international showed wonderful poise to net Wolves' equaliser past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. After a terrific first touch to control Jorgen Strand Larsen's pass that put him through on goal, there appeared little doubt that he would find the bottom corner with his second.

He is now Wolves' joint-leading goalscorer in league fixtures this season.

One of Mane's most noticeable attributes is his willingness to run at defences with the ball and with pace - something which had been sadly lacking for much of the first half of the campaign.

He leads his team for most dribbles attempted per 90 minutes (4.83) of players who have made more than one league appearance this term.

Also, Mane is the only Wolves player averaging more than one shot on target per 90 minutes of Premier League action this season (1.41).

The sample size may be small at this stage, but Mane's introduction to Wolves' starting XI has certainly made a positive difference.

Statistics courtesy of Opta

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Everton's Michael Keane will be banned for three games after being sent off for pulling the hair of Wolves' Tolu Arokodare in Wednesday's 1-1 draw.

It is not a flying, studs-up challenge yet Keane faces the same suspension. Does the punishment fit the crime?

The central defender will miss the FA Cup tie with Sunderland, plus Premier League games against Aston Villa and Leeds.

While hair pulling is not specifically mentioned in the Laws of the Game it is categorised as violent conduct. That is because it cannot be considered something you would do when challenging for the ball.

Think of it this way: the hair is attached to the scalp so if the head is pulled back it is seen as evidence of force or brutality.

Manager David Moyes excused it by saying: "If you have longer hair, then there's a fair chance you'll get it pulled." But if you don't pull the hair, there is no chance you will get sent off.

It has become far more prevalent with the advent of the video assistant referee (VAR) because it usually happens off the ball.

At the start of 2023-24, Tottenham's Cristian Romero wrongly escaped a VAR red card after pulling the hair of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. That was a reference point for the future.

Southampton's Jack Stephens was dismissed for doing it to Cucurella as was Paris St-Germain's Joao Neves at the Club World Cup.

At the women's Euros, Germany's Kathrin Hendrich looked shocked after she was sent off for pulling the hair of France's Griedge Mbock.

But interpretations can change. David Beckham saw red at the 1998 World Cup after a little kick at Diego Simeone. Today, the England midfielder would not be dismissed as it is now considered petulant.

Perhaps Keane's offence falls into the same kind of bracket, as it does not seem as bad as Stephens, Neves or Hendrich.

Three games seems excessive.

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Chris: A dilatory game for which we have Jordan Pickford to thank again for saving us at the death. What a save. Two red cards means two fewer players when we are already at bare bones. Time to blood some academy boys.

Rich: Badly in need of reinforcements. Recruitment has to be better than the usual waste-of-money players coming in. Otherwise a bottom-six finish beckons. And we've got to play a full strength team on Saturday as we need a cup run.

Neil: The boos at the end were about the Michael Keane red card - they were at the referee. It's true the team were not incisive enough but the crowd do not boo the team for that.

Tim: Once again punished for lack of pace, pressing, positive play, urgency and inspiration. It all stems from a manager who agreed to start the season with a wafer-thin squad, signing young players he can't develop or trust to play, and won't react in matches to try to change things when we are so ineffective. We are nowhere near safe from relegation.

Wolves fans

Gary: Well done to all at Wolves for giving us fans something to cheer about again. Ignore the critics who have written us off. If we play like we have for the past few games, we could make the impossible look very possible, very quickly!

Brody: Before the game, we would have taken a point so I am happy. It was a stop-and-start game. Mane is just pure fire. Just got to keep building in confidence and stop wasting our corners. The amount of times our corners end up with our goalkeeper is silly.

Murray: Better fight from the team. Good substitutions, but Andre has to start every game with Joao Gomes. Once they were paired up, we had control of midfield immediately. Nice to see Pedro Lima back - give him a chance, particularly as Jackson Tchatchoua still can't cross a ball. Hwang Hee-chan remains a liability and should not start.

Nigel: Fantastic performance. All credit to the boss - we actually played better when they had 11 on pitch.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Wolves boss Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's draw to Everton: "Once Jack Grealish gets sent off and we're playing against nine men, I thought we played into their hands. We needed more direction. We needed to put crosses into the box from different places. We pushed. It's progress still. With 11 men, we got back into it with a great goal.

"They're good in transitional moments but I think we showed we have a few who can handle it as well. I think both were looking jaded. It's been a busy period. We started flat.

"We need to try to find a way to get back in the game and Jordy [Strand Larsen] did that straight away. I felt Andre would give us more energy and fresh impetus. Credit to them.

On Mateus Mane: "He had to dig in today. You could see he wasn't 100% in terms of his energy but he has got some energy. We have to make sure we look after him now.

"We want to try keep this momentum going."

Hear more from Edwards on BBC Sounds

Wolves goalscorer Mane spoke to Sky Sports: "It was an amazing feeling. We deserved the three points. We've got to keep working and we go again on Saturday in the FA Cup.

"They had two red cards so we thought to attack them and put balls in the box. We did that but we were just unlucky not to get the goal.

On what Rob Edwards said at half-time: "He told us to keep going and the ball will come. He said work, run, attack.

"I feel like I had space between the defenders. I took a touch and slotted into the bottom corner.

"I'm not scared of anyone, I deserve to be here and I'm now I'm proving what I can do. He tells me to express myself and be brave one-on-one.

"We'll fight and whatever happens, happens. We want to stay in the Prem because it's the best league in the world."

Did you know?

• Aged 18 years and 113 days old, Mateus Mané tonight became the youngest ever Wolves player to score in back-to-back Premier League matches for the club.

• Wolves have picked up more points during in their last three matches (five) than they managed in their previous 22 games in the competition (three - D3 L19).

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves manager Rob Edwards looked disappointed at the final whistle after his side could not capitalise on Everton being reduced to nine players following the dismissals of Michael Keane and Jack Grealish.

Edwards must have thought Hugo Bueno's spectacular strike had brought the riches of a second successive league win, only for Everton keeper Jordan Pickford to pull off a world-class save.

The manager, however, will be delighted that the recent improvement, that saw Wolves run Arsenal and Liverpool close before losing, get a draw at Manchester United and then get that elusive first win against West Ham, was maintained.

Heads could have dropped after going behind so early, but there is fresh determination about Wolves under Edwards.

It would take the stuff of miracles for Wolves to avoid the drop, but there is no doubt there has been progress in recent weeks.

This is exemplified by the exciting Mateus Mane, who followed on his fine display in the West Ham win with another demonstration of his quality, this time an ice-cool equaliser.

The teenager, brought in as an academy player from Rochdale, is emerging as a real high spot this season – although his form will have already caught the attention of potential transfer suitors.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Everton boss David Moyes has made one change to the side that were beaten 4-2 by Brentford on Sunday.

Tyler Dubling drops to the bench in place of Harrison Armstrong.

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Armstrong, Garner, McNeil, Grealish, Barry.

Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Beto, Dibling, Rohl, Aznou, Welch, Campbell.

Rob Edwards has named an unchanged Wolves side after they picked up their first win of the season against West Ham on Saturday.

Wolves XI: Sa, S. Bueno, H. Bueno, Gomes, Arias, Hwang, Arokodare, Mosquera, Mane, Krejci, Tchatchoua.

Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Andre, Moller Wolfe, Strand Larsen, Lima, Chirewa, Lopez, Ojinnaka.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Oh, to be young again.

"Yeah, I've always felt like I'm fearless and not scared of anything. I feel like I deserve to be here. It's always a dream to play in the Premier League and I've got to take it in."

Not least among the striking features of Mateus Mane's day at Molineux last Saturday was his air of calm while fielding questions in the tunnel after the game.

Within one week, he had made not only his first Premier League start, but three.

He had been given his chance in two of the country's landmark football arenas, Anfield and Old Trafford, and then in front of the home supporters.

On each occasion, he was his team's brightest light in an improved performance, capping his week by ramming in his first senior goal to spark joy in the stands.

His relaxed demeanour afterwards made it all seem, simply, normal: this is who I am now, and this is what I do.

Had he, I wondered, allowed himself a moment to digest where he was and, as you or I might, gasp at the view?

"Sometimes I'm speaking to my brother or my friends and we just talk about my past and stuff, and we actually realise how things can go, and change quick," he said.

I'll say.

Rob Edwards has wisely stressed recently that everyone - the club, fans and media - should "look after" Mane.

All the usual considerations about young players apply. It is unreasonable to expect him to be consistent, especially in a team that has struggled for so long, with fans eager to seize on anything hopeful.

Yes, over the last week Mane has seemed quite capable of looking after himself, on the field and off it, but he will need support as his reputation grows.

For now at least, he can count on tens of thousands of instant friends he made last weekend.

If he achieves nothing else this season, he has rekindled a flame that others in the team must now try to take forth with him.

Throughout his three starts, whenever allowed any room with the ball, he ran - quickly and directly - towards the goal and fired off a shot.

It looked like the football product of a young and clear mind, uncluttered by fears of past results and consequences.

It must not be left to Mane to carry the rest of the team now, but the glow around him can light the way forward.

And he should be given the time and space to enjoy the journey.

Full commentary of Everton v Wolves on BBC Radio WM (DAB and Freeview), from 19:30 GMT

The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Wolverhampton Wanderers will look to continue their mini-revival in the Premier League against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday night.

It took them 20 games, but Wolves won their first top-flight fixture of the season against West Ham on Saturday. It doubled their points tally to six, although Rob Edwards' side are still 12 points adrift of safety.

In Everton, they face an inconsistent opponent. After a depleted squad won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest, the team limped to a 4-2 defeat at home to Brentford on Sunday. The loss left Everton down in 12th place, although a win here could propel them back into touching distance of the European qualification places.

After all, only three points separate the Toffees and Chelsea in fifth position.

Grealish's welcome return

Manager David Moyes will again have to make do without a number of key players because of injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations, though Jack Grealish returned to the starting XI against Brentford after suffering with a virus over new year.

While Everton lacked cohesion in defence, the on-loan Manchester City winger showed off some of his trademark verve in attack.

The 30-year-old registered four assists in his first two starts for Everton but had to wait until last Sunday to register his fifth and sixth in the Premier League. Even with that drought, only Bruno Fernandes and Rayan Cherki (both seven) have more this term.

With no Illiman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Charly Alcaraz, it would be a huge boost to Moyes if his marquee loan signing added some productivity to his panache again in 2026.

Everton will need goals if they continue to defend as they have done in recent home games. It took four matches before a team got the better of them at Hill Dickinson Stadium. But since Tottenham's 3-0 win on 26 October, the new stadium built behind sturdy dock walls has been less and less secure for its owners.

Newcastle United won 4-1 in November in another alarming defensive display and while there were positives to take from the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and 1-0 loss to Arsenal in December, the way in which Everton were given the runaround by Igor Thiago on Sunday was a worry.

The swathes of empty blue seats on show before the hour-mark as supporters streamed out spoke volumes.

With Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman still sidelined, Moyes is limited in how he can adjust a creaking backline. At Forest, the Blues kept a clean sheet with Jake O'Brien and James Tarkowski at the heart of defence; Michael Keane's return and O'Brien's redeployment at right-back was clearly destabilising against Brentford.

But right-back alternatives are limited. Nathan Patterson made his only start of the season at Forest, while James Garner has become too important to be moved from midfield, having played in both full-back positions this season too.

Lost cause for improving Wolves?

After gallant 2-1 losses to both Arsenal and Liverpool on the road, Wolves grabbed a deserved point at Manchester United before the turn of the year. They then dispatched West Ham with a blistering first-half performance on Saturday, inspired by 18-year-old forward Mateus Mane.

Even with their two recent positive results, Wolves' total of six points is still the joint lowest of any team at this stage of a Premier League season, level with Sunderland in 2005-06 and Southampton in 2024-25.

They may yet avoid being statistically the worst team in Premier League history but staying up remains an improbable ask. The team with the fewest points at this stage of a Premier League campaign to survive is West Bromwich Albion in 2004-05, and their meagre tally of 11 is still five more than Wolves have accrued.

My pal Ali Bruce-Ball covered Wolves' win against West Ham on Saturday and said Mateus Mane really impressed him.

At last they have a victory under their belts, and their fans have something to smile about too.

Can Rob Edwards' side keep this up and pull off what would be a truly great escape from relegation?

Sorry, Wolves fans, but the answer is no.

Everton boss David Moyes could do with some reinforcements in the January transfer window, but I don't see his side losing two on the spin at home.

The Toffees were well beaten by Brentford on Sunday but this seems like a good opportunity for them to get back on track.

Their strikers Beto and Thierno Barry both scored in the same game against the Bees. Watching them struggle this season, that is unbelievable, really.

Moyes probably thinks that is typical, for them to score when it doesn't really matter, but maybe one of them will net when it does count, here.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Wolves's 25-year-old Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is wanted by Newcastle United and Tottenham. (ChronicleLive) , external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Rob Edwards refused to rule out the Premier League strugglers losing some stars this month - but it will only be for the right reasons.

Bottom of the table and considerably adrift of safety, Wolves could see players picked off by rivals during the January transfer window.

Midfielder Joao Gomes has been linked with Crystal Palace while West Ham have backed away from Jorgen Strand Larsen after Wolves asked for £40m.

Wolves need to plan ahead, with relegation to the Championship likely, but departures will only be on their terms.

Edwards, who takes his side to Everton on Wednesday, said: "There will be interest in a number of our players I would have thought, especially with the position we're in and we've got some really good players.

"We're under no pressure to do anything if we don't think it's right for the football club. None of us want to weaken the team in this window or any window going forward. We always want to try to be in a stronger position.

"That's always our aim and as the head coach now, that's what I'm pushing for, that's always what I want.

"We're in a unique position, one not many teams have been in in the Premier League before at this stage of the season.

"We'll always try to make the right decision for the football club going forward but we always want to try to be stronger coming out of every window."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He confirmed that Joao Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan, who came off against West Ham, should both be fine to play on Wednesday. None of the injured players who were previously out will return, but Edwards says "people are progressing on time".

• On the importance of getting the first league win of the season last time out against West Ham: "Internally, it's not been the end of the world that we hadn't won. It was a really good day for us and the supporters needed it more than anyone else."

• He stressed the importance of not getting ahead of themselves: "We are under no illusions that after a couple of good results we have cracked it, far from it. This is going to be a very tough game."

• On the improvement of Jhon Arias in recent weeks: "He wants to feel involved and be in the game. If he can be in the game, we will see the best of him. Perhaps being deeper keeps him in the game more."

• Edwards insisted that the club are still working hard to bring in new recruits during this month's transfer window.

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Edwards on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is hope at Molineux for the first time this season.

The second half of the season starts at Everton on Wednesday and there will be a different air to Rob Edwards' pre-match press conference.

It is the first time this season a Wolves manager has held one after a Premier League victory and, after four points from their past two games tripled their season's tally, there is optimism - however brief.

It would be the Premier League's greatest comeback but Wolves would need to win at least half of their remaining 18 games to even stand a chance so the expectation of relegation. externally at least, does not change.

Those outside of Compton had been resigned to relegation and it was all about how and when, not if, Wolves went down.

Edwards alluded to that last month, insisting they could not get relegated with a whimper and at least there is fight after the draw at Manchester United and Saturday's 3-0 win over West Ham.

There was of course spirit in performances at Aston Villa and Arsenal which deserved more than narrow defeats, but Wolves had to back them up with points.

There is still 12 points to make up to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest - and that will be extended if Forest win their crucial basement battle at the Hammers on Tuesday - so no-one expects miracles.

But any signs of recovery were so desperately needed and at Everton on Wednesday Wolves need to prove they can maintain their battle against the odds.

Crystal Palace are prepared to rival West Ham for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read 's full gossip column

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Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Almost nine months.

Nine long, soul-destroying months of waiting, hoping, travelling, groaning, and still turning up. And finally... finally Wolverhampton Wanderers remembered how to win a Premier League football match.

I do not care who it was against. I do not care about the table. I do not care how ugly it has been getting here. That feeling at full-time? Pure relief. Pure joy. Absolute bliss.

So what changed?

Firstly, we have seen this coming for a while with good performances at Old Trafford and Anfield. But for me, it started with intent. We played with a positive, attacking mindset, not the cautious, scared version we have watched too often. There was movement ahead of the ball, runners taking risks and a sense that we were trying to win rather than trying not to lose.

Mateus Mane has injected something we've been crying out for: energy and directness. In truth, he felt like the spark that lit the flame. His first touch is sharp, and you could see West Ham's defenders struggle to cope as he slipped past them.

He is brilliant at finding space, constantly moving even when he does not have the ball. His football intelligence is clear but more than anything he shows no fear. That attitude spreads. It felt like his tempo rubbed off on everyone around him.

Credit is also due to Hwang Hee-chan and Jhon Arias, because both have had plenty of criticism thrown their way. Rob Edwards tweaked the system and, crucially, pushed them into more central roles. It suited both.

Arias, as part of a midfield three, looked like a different player, more involved, more assured, and more able to affect the game. That switch started at Manchester United and it carried forward here.

Meanwhile Hwang played higher and narrower, ran at defenders, helped create a goal and then kept his nerve from the spot.

Maybe Edwards has landed on a shape that actually works for this squad. The worry is whether we can take it into the next game at Everton. Joao Gomes and Hwang both look like injury doubts and Wolves might be forced to break up a winning combination before it has had a chance to grow.

One last thing: the humour. Both sets of fans traded chants of gallows humour for most of the match and after nine months, we deserved a laugh - and we definitely deserved a win.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Mike: The great escape is on! A good performance all round, albeit against a poor West Ham team. They dominated possession but did nothing with it - we scored three goals and their keeper made three great saves. Sa had nothing to do but deal with crosses. Excellent three points now back it up with a win at Everton in midweek.

Rhys: A shocking performance by West Ham but, saying that, our first half was simply stunning. I think just about every Wolves fan now loves Mane after his ridiculous performance, ripping away the West Ham defence. The Hammers got hammered!

Robert: Performances have been improved in recent games. This is well overdue, and while we won't avoid relegation, maybe we have found some pride.

West Ham fans

Phillip: I can forgive anything except not trying hard enough. There are a lot of players in the group who clearly have no self-respect. At least look as though you care! I have followed West Ham since 1967 and have never seen such low commitment to the cause. They deserve to be relegated and I think it is almost a certainty now. Sullivan deserves no better.

Bullet: The two worst centre-backs in the history of the club, a midfield that prefers to pass the ball backwards and a non-existent forward line. That is West Ham. It is painful to watch.

Barry: Gutless display. This should have been a cup final and Wolves clearly treated it like that. We came out as if we were in a training game. No leaders on the pitch and no leadership from the sidelines. We are completely rudderless. Sullivan and Brady have ruined our club. We will be in the Championship for some years.

Crystal Palace have several January targets lined up, including Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. (Mail+ - subscription required), external

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