Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady produced a colossal captain’s performance to help down a sorry Everton side.
The former Liverpool defender scored the winner at Goodison Park in the 49th minute after heading home a Ruben Neves cross which found the far corner.
It was the 29-year-old’s third goal of the season and it meant Bruno Lage’s side moved above Tottenham Hotspur into seventh place in the Premier League table.
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The England international produced a dominant performance against the Toffees and flourished on his return to Merseyside.
Wolves’ number 16 finished the game with 71 touches, a 94% passing accuracy and won both of his aerial duels.
He completed eight of his 11 attempted long balls, as well as making five ball recoveries and five clearances, it was a captain’s contribution.
Speaking via BBC Sport after the game, Coady highlighted the importance of frustrating Frank Lampard’s side and quietening the home fans.
Coady said: “It was massive. We knew there was going to be a reaction [from Everton]. No matter what you say about them they are a top team and a top football club.
“It was important we came here with the right mentality and know that when the crowd gets up it’s tough to play against.
“We had to frustrate them at times and I thought we did it and got the goal in the second half which is fantastic.”
Despite moving back up to seventh, Coady remained coy when asked about where Wolves’ chances of finishing in the European places lay.
Coady added: “Three weeks ago we were kind of written off. It’s not something we talk about. We just enjoy playing football under our manager and if we keep doing that we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”
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