THE Everton manager, David Moyes, spent plenty of time in the run-up to the game complaining about the detrimental effect international football was having on his players. They seemed to be listening more intently than anybody. Everton were lethargic and needed an 88th-minute equaliser from Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to rescue a point after Kevin Doyle’s goal on 76 minutes appeared to have secured Wolves a win.

To add to the indignity for the away side, their substitute, the 6ft 7in Austrian giant, Stefan Maierhofer, was sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence after he was harshly adjudged to have impeded Tim Howard as he tried to set up an Everton attack. It was a shame it took the game such a long time to catch fire.

Wolves could have been out of sight by half-time had their striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake shown more of his customary sharpness in front of goal. The Championship’s top scorer for the past two seasons was making only his second start of the season after suffering a hamstring injury.

Most of the best chances were made from hopeful long balls and Ebanks-Blake’s first effort on 40 minutes was no different. Jody Craddock’s long ball was headed down by Greg Halford to Doyle and the Irish striker’s misdirected shot landed straight in the path of Ebanks-Blake, who could only steer the ball wide. Then, from Ronald Zubar’s cross, Doyle dummied and Ebanks-Blake again shot wide from six yards.

Moyes had seen enough to switch things at the break. Tony Hibbert was brought off, Tim Cahill moved back into the centre of midfield from a forward position and Yakubu came on to accompany Louis Saha up front. However, Wayne Hennessey was enjoying an inspirational day in the Wolves goal, his best save coming when Leighton Baines put Bilyaletdinov in on goal.

Wolves took the lead thanks to some awful Everton defending. The centre-back Joseph Yobo allowed Hennessey’s long clearance to bounce over him and Doyle pounced to steer the ball past Howard. Everton finally managed to put a good move together. Cahill played Jo in near the byline and his cross was turned in by Bilyaletdinov for his first goal for his club.

“The Premier League is a hard playground but my players are learning well,” said the Wolves boss, Mick McCarthy.

Star man: Wayne Hennessey (Wolves)

Yellow cards: Everton: Howard Wolves: Kightly, Maierhofer, Edwards Red card: Maierhofer

Referee: S Attwell

Attendance: 39,319

EVERTON: Howard 6, Hibbert 5 (Yakubu h-t 6), Yobo 5, Distin 6, Baines 7, Osman 5 (Fellaini 77 min), Heitinga 5, Rodwell 5, Bilyaletdinov 7, Cahill 7, Saha 6 (Jo 73mins)

WOLVES: Hennessey 8, Zubar 6, Craddock 6, Berra 6, Elokobi 7, Kightly 5 (Jarvis 59min, 6), Edwards 6, Henry 6, Halford 5 (Castillo 65min), Doyle 7, Ebanks-Blake 5 (Maierhofer 80min)