Alcaraz goalImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Charly Alcaraz last scored against Mansfield in the EFL Cup 13 months ago

ByJude Winter
BBC Sport journalist

Everton booked their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a hard-fought win over Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Watched by Toffees fans, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, David Moyes' side claimed the crucial goal in the 80th minute.

It came from substitute Charly Alcaraz, who jinked his way inside the box before finishing calmly for his first goal for the club in 13 months - against Mansfield in the same competition.

In a game of few chances, Everton were kept out by their former keeper Joao Virginia, who was handed a start for Wolves against the club where he spent seven years before leaving in 2025 for Sporting.

His best contribution was to stop a close-range header from Thierno Barry before the break.

But he was beaten by Alcaraz as Everton maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign after six matches.

They will face Newcastle United at home in the next round, which will take place during the week commencing 26 October.

Wolves, who made nine changes from Sunday's Championship win over Sheffield United, made the brighter start but suffered a blow when key striker Raul Jimenez went off injured in the 37th minute.

The Mexico international's replacement, Adam Armstrong, had a one-on-one effort saved low by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in the 54th minute.

The hosts, who made six changes from the goalless draw with Tottenham in the Premier League, were frustrated as Virginia shone on his return to Merseyside.

James Garner had an effort on goal and Michael Keane headed just wide, before Virginia foiled substitute Brennan Johnson when the forward broke through.

Jack Grealish, who started his first Everton game since January following his loan return from Manchester City, played for 76 minutes before he was replaced by Tyrique George.

Everton face Ipswich Town on Saturday (15:00 BST) in the Premier League, while Wolves host West Brom in a West Midlands derby (12:00 BST) on Sunday in the Championship.

Player of the match

Number: 13 João Virgínia
Average rating 7.97
Number: 20 T. Dibling
Average Rating: 7.97
Number: 24 C. Alcaraz
Average Rating: 7.44
Number: 15 J. O'Brien
Average Rating: 6.99
Number: 16 V. Mykolenko
Average Rating: 6.97
Number: 19 T. George
Average Rating: 6.88
Number: 10 J. Grealish
Average Rating: 6.86
Number: 37 J. Garner
Average Rating: 6.81
Number: 8 K. Dewsbury-Hall
Average Rating: 6.80
Number: 30 H. Hackney
Average Rating: 6.79
Number: 2 A. Maitland-Niles
Average Rating: 6.73
Number: 1 J. Pickford
Average Rating: 6.63
Number: 5 M. Keane
Average Rating: 6.52
Number: 22 B. Johnson
Average Rating: 6.36
Number: 11 T. Barry
Average Rating: 5.94

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.