Mumbai, 17 May, 2023: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC put in a comprehensive display in their opening game of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup as they triumphed over fellow Premier League (PL) rivals Everton FC by 4-0 at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai tonight.
Their midfield diligently covered the length and breadth of the ground in order to regain possession and they capitalised on set-pieces to get ahead in the contest.
Forward Nathan Fraser nodded in a cross home to secure the first goal of the night as Alfie Pond headed the ball into the back of the net again in the 43rd minute to double Wolves’ lead. Everton seemed to be unable to sway the momentum of the game in their favour as the Wolves didn’t allow them to be on the ball for long enough and maintained a stronghold over the proceedings.
They started in style with Fraser rounding off another clean finish from inside the box to bag a brace in the team’s first outing in the league. But, the Wolves weren’t done yet with number 7 Tyler Roberts striking again at the hour mark to cap off a performance that was as convincing as they come.
“We started the game poorly. It was a different climate and environment for the boys to perform in. We didn’t start the game well enough. We lacked intensity and purpose with our press. I think we made the game quite easy for Wolves,” Everton coach Lauris Coggin said after the game.
“Obviously, the reflection is that it was a good experience overall, playing against a more senior Wolves side, which is a very strong side, so for our lads to have an opportunity to play against a very good side a little bit more senior than us is definitely a very good experience,” he further added.
Wolves coach James Collins is still being practical with regards to the challenges lying ahead for his team. He acknowledged that they benefitted from playing a familiar side in the first game but that would not be the case from here onwards in the tournament.
“We knew Everton and we knew our opponents really well. From now on, we won’t know our opponents really well. So, from now on each game will be a different challenge. We will take each game as it comes and respect each opponent. We have come to this tournament to try and do well and it will be a very different challenge,” Collins signed off.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton will next face RFYC and Sudeva Delhi FC in their respective next games at RCP on May 20, Saturday.
Brief Scores
Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 (Nathan Fraser 5’ 48’, Alfie Pond 43’, Tyler Roberts 60’) – 0 Everton FC
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