You keep telling yourself this is football we are watching but then along comes another incident that reminds us how bizarre the game has become.
This account should have been split between the performance of a bright, young midfielder who received a standing ovation from Evertonians and the questions the decision makers at Molineux should be asking themselves after another encouraging Wolves’ performance.
Instead, the focus is a red card for Michael Keane, scorer of Everton’s goal. Chris Kavanagh, on VAR, adjudged the defender to be guilty of violent conduct for what appeared to be an accidental grab at the dreadlocks of Tolu Arokodare, as the pair contested an 82nd minute header.
No appeals were made from any Wolves players for Tom Kirk, the inexperienced referee, to show a red card but, instead, Stockley Park got involved, Kirk was encouraged to go and look at the monitor and, suddenly, there was opprobrium.
There is history for a player to be banished for hair-pulling in the Premier League and the incident in December 2024, involving a yank by Southampton’s Jack Stephens on Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, was just as feeble.
To make matters worse for David Moyes, who was booked when he erupted after seeing a replay of the grapple on a giant stadium screen, Jack Grealish was sent-off for two bookable offences – both dissent – as Everton felt injustice raging through them.
Keane had opened the scoring for Everton before Wolves restored parity in the second half
Everton lost the plot after Michael Keane was sent off for a bizarre hair pull against Wolves
Jack Grealish smiles as he is shown a second yellow card for dissent, reducing Everton to nine
It is never satisfactory to talk about refereeing decisions, as their job is difficult, but this was preposterous. Keane will now miss three matches, the punishment for violent conduct. You will see many tackles in the coming weeks, dangerous ones, that don’t get yellow cards.
What a wretched night it turned out to be for Moyes, who had started by making an important call, selecting Harrison Armstrong. He knows better than anyone how Evertonians embrace the promotion of a promising young talent and the crowd know he only selects youthful performers when he believes they have a chance of flourishing.
In the early stages, his inclusion worked a treat. Not only was he prepared to get on the ball but, if he could he was going to express himself – clearly, he doesn’t lack confidence, as a cross from the left with the outside of his right foot in the eighth minute proved.
You sensed Everton were going to make a breakthrough and so it proved in the 17th minute. Joao Gomes fluffed a defensive header, it only reached the feet of Tim Iroegbunam and the midfielder snapped shot that was diverted into the net by the gleeful Keane.
But Everton couldn’t build up any momentum in the second period and Wolves began to grow. How different might their season look had they appointed Rob Edwards a month earlier than they did but, right now, these players are responding to him.
The equaliser came in the 69th minute when Jorgan Strand-Larsen, having been played in by Yerson Mosquera, ushered Mateus Mane forward and his finish was emphatic. Wolves deserved their point; they didn’t deserve to be out of the spotlight due to VAR.
