Everton drew 1-1 with Wolves in a tense Premier League meeting dominated by disciplinary controversy, as Michael Keane and Jack Grealish were both sent off late on. David Moyes labelled Keane’s dismissal for violent conduct "a ridiculous decision", while Wolves extended an unbeaten run to three league matches but could not turn a two-player advantage into a vital win.
The match at Hill Dickinson Stadium saw Everton finish with nine players on the pitch, despite Keane having earlier put Moyes’ side ahead. A second-half equaliser from Mateus Mane preserved Wolves’ recent momentum, yet Rob Edwards admitted frustration that Wolves failed to use the extra space during nine minutes of stoppage time against a depleted Everton side.
The main flashpoint
came on 83 minutes when referee Thomas Kirk consulted VAR and then showed Keane a straight red card. Officials judged that Keane deliberately pulled the hair of Tolu Arakodare while both challenged for an aerial ball. The incident, in only Kirk’s second Premier League fixture, drew fierce criticism from Moyes and surprise from Everton captain James Tarkowski.
Moyes rejected the idea that Keane acted with intent or aggression during the challenge. "I think it’s not deliberate tugging of the hair, certainly not violent, certainly not aggressive," Moyes said. "This was done in an action in the game, on a ball coming up, and unless you have played the game, you might not understand. I have been a centre-half and there is no way I am jumping to outjump a big centre-forward and think: ‘By the way, I am going to outjump him and, at the same time, I am going to pull his hair’. I don’t know anyone on the planet who is good enough to think that way when they are jumping up. I thought it was a ridiculous decision by the referee, but more by VAR. Maybe if we all grow our hair longer, we might get a few more red cards and deliberate decisions given against us. It wasn’t deliberate today. "
Keane had earlier opened the scoring for Everton, giving the hosts an advantage that lasted until Wolves’ late response. Mane struck the leveller after timing a run behind the defence to meet Jorgen Strand Larsen’s precise through pass, finishing calmly. That goal maintained Wolves’ unbeaten sequence and added further significance to Mane’s rapid rise at Premier League level.
The closing stages then brought more drama when Grealish received a second red card for Everton on 90 minutes. After Kirk’s earlier decision on Keane, Grealish reacted to another call by clapping sarcastically towards the referee. Kirk immediately dismissed the winger, leaving Everton to defend the draw with nine players as Wolves pushed forward in stoppage time.
Tarkowski admitted confusion over Keane’s punishment but felt the decision on Grealish was easier to understand. "[The] second half was bizarre. It’s not often you spend the last few minutes with nine men," Tarkowski said. "I’ve never seen anything like it at the end, it was bizarre. First of all, Michael Keane is the most placid character you could ever meet. He’s never had any intention to harm. Maybe an experienced referee at this level knows Michael wouldn’t do that. It’s a three-match ban now over something that is absolutely nothing. " On Grealish’s dismissal, Tarkowski added: "Jack will hold his hand up and say he needs to remain composed there. We need our players on the pitch. "
It's not violent conduct or a deliberate action. It didn't warrant a sending off. David Moyes' #EVEWOL reaction as he admitted we didn't play well enough tonight.pic.twitter.com/4jULB13TzXEverton (@Everton) January 7, 2026
Everton vs Wolves Premier League reaction and young star Mateus Mane
From Wolves’ perspective, Edwards viewed the evening as both encouraging and frustrating. "Once Jack Grealish gets sent off and we’re playing against nine men, I thought we played into their hands," Edwards said. "We needed more direction. We needed to put crosses into the box from different places. We pushed. It’s still progress. With 11 men, we got back into it with a great goal. We want to try keep this momentum going. "
Mane’s contribution again stood out for Wolves, with the winger becoming the youngest player to score in consecutive Premier League matches for the club at 18 years and 113 days. Edwards praised Mane’s influence in and out of possession. "I’m not surprised anymore," Edwards said. "I may have been a few weeks ago because he was doing really well when he was coming on. But now, that’s four really good performances in a row, two goals, and he’s affecting the games. You could see he didnt have his full energy. I think he had to drag himself up and find something, which I asked him to do at half-time. Massive credit to him for a brilliant goal. It was an amazing run, great touch and finish. He’s stepping up, and I think players are responding around him as well. "
Moyes accepted that Everton’s overall display fell below the required standard, despite the focus on refereeing calls. The draw left Everton reflecting on lost control and looming suspensions for Keane and Grealish, while Wolves took encouragement from another positive result, Mane’s growing impact and the sense that Edwards’ side continue to build confidence despite missing a chance for all three points.
