Bruno Lage makes Wolves tactical revelation after Everton suffer fourth straight defeat

Bruno Lage has explained his tactical plan for Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Everton - a result that heaped more pressure onto the Toffees at the bottom of the Premier League.

Conor Coady’s second-half headed winner left Frank Lampard’s side hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Jonjoe Kenney’s red card 12 minutes from the end scotched any chance of Everton rescuing a point against the Wanderers and secured a seventh league defeat in nine games.

Despite starting the game in much-improved fashion compared to last Monday’s 5-0 drubbing of Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues couldn’t prevent Wolves from taking control and were made to rue their missed chances.

Speaking after the game, Wolves boss Lage laid out his plan for the game and explained the decision to start Leander Dendoncker.

He said: “The players did everything we planned so we know, tough stadium to play, tough team, big experience but I think we come with a good plan.

“We knew a team like that, when they lost 5-0, would come in the beginning. We made a good defence and held on a little bit in the first 20 minutes and after that, the game turned calm and we controlled it.

“We prepared well for it. We put many players as midfielders, that’s why Leander (Dendoncker) played, to have more players in the middle, to have more possession and keep the rhythm.”

Blues credit from Lage

Everton registered half the amount of shots (7) that Wolves did but their hangover from the defeat at Spurs looked like it had ended with Richarlison squandering a couple of opportunities to continue his fine form against the Midlands club.

After completing the double over the Blues, Lage credited Everton for their in-game changes that forced him to tweak himself.

“When we felt the game, after 15 or 20 minutes, calmed, we had the players to find the spaces and we did,” Lage continued. “The second half was so good.

“We need to give them [Everton] credit for what they did. Their manager changed from a line of five to a line of four and my players did everything we asked.

“We adapted, we changed and continued to dominate possession.”