Luke Skywalker’s favorite soccer team is back in the Premier League but Everton’s new star stole the headlines on Saturday. Two Richarlison goals vs Wolves helped propel Everton to a 2-2 draw despite playing most of the match with 10 men after Phil Jagielka was sent off.
Richarlison showed why he was worth $52 million to Everton, scoring a brace for the Blues, who held firm despite playing in front of a raucous crowd at Molineux Stadium celebrating Wolverhampton’s return to the Premier League after six seasons.
.@Wolves and their fans are HYPED to be back in the @premierleague. pic.twitter.com/YM392rFuDl
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 11, 2018
Richarlison popped up in the right place at the right time to put Everton in front after 17 minutes. After all the investment made by the Toffees, fans will be relieved to see the 21-year-old Brazilian taking no time at all to acclimate to the club.
That'll make the fans remember you - Richarlison scores on his @Everton debut! pic.twitter.com/SejC4YODKL
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 11, 2018
But things took a turn for the worse for Everton in the 40th minute. A loose bit of play at the back resulted in Jagielka being sent off for a dangerous challenge. The fourth official said the red card was for a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, which seems dubious. But Jagielka did put his studs into the leg of Diogo Jota, so the red card was probably warranted.
Confirmed that ref gave Jagielka a red for “denial of a goal scoring opportunity”... Am I watching the same tackle? pic.twitter.com/nHwWLvoeay
— Ed (@dixiessixty) August 11, 2018
Probably.
The ensuing free kick after the red card saw another 21-year-old find the back of the net. Portuguese starlet Rúben Neves blasted a gorgeous shot past a helpless Jordan Pickford to equalize right before halftime.
Ruben Neves and @Wolves have arrived in the @premierleague! Look at this! pic.twitter.com/NsYMAWIm5z
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 11, 2018
The goal was a perfect way to reintroduce Wolves to the Premier League, but the free kick was taken well ahead of where the foul actually took place.
While the home crowd was expecting the Wanderers to take the lead with a man advantage in the second half, it was Richarlison who scored next for short-handed Everton. The second of the Richarlison goals vs Wolves clinched the Brazilian’s first ever Premier League brace.
Richarlison again for @Everton! What a goal! pic.twitter.com/CfNYb3CwAI
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 11, 2018
The newly promoted club didn’t go down without a point. Raúl Jiménez got his head to an 80th-minute equalizer as both teams shared the spoils.
Another great goal for @Wolves!
Catch the last 10 minutes on NBC now, or stream: https://t.co/XN7Pms4cGa pic.twitter.com/fewwakUiCX— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 11, 2018
The Everton-Wolverhampton match was the first cracker of the new Premier League season with a bit of everything: great goals, red cards and the undeniable EPL drama.
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