Charly Alcaraz played a pivotal role in Everton's progression to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a late winning goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening. The Argentine midfielder, who has seen limited action this season, came off the bench to score the decisive strike in the 80th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for the Premier League side.

Alcaraz, 23, who had accumulated just 14 minutes of game time prior to this match, displayed composure and skill by quickly switching the ball from one foot to the other before firing a left-footed shot past former Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia. The goal marked Alcaraz’s second-ever for the club in all competitions, his previous goal also coming in the Carabao Cup during a match against Mansfield over a year ago.

The assist came from Tyler Dibling, whose contributions have been closely scrutinized since his £35 million transfer from Southampton just over a year ago. Demonstrating one of his more promising performances, Dibling set up Alcaraz’s goal, offering a rare highlight in what has been an otherwise challenging period for the young player at Everton.

Manager David Moyes has faced squad limitations following a transfer window that failed to strengthen key areas, increasing the need for contributions from the wider squad. Alcaraz’s goal helped Everton avoid a potential upset against a Championship opponent and underscored the importance of squad depth in cup competitions.

The match showcased the value of fringe players stepping up when given opportunities, a factor that could become increasingly vital for Everton as they navigate a congested schedule across multiple competitions.