The win moved Everton into fourth spot in the English Premier League (EPL) on Tuesday.

A lively opening saw Alex Iwobi fire Everton in front early in the sixth minute before Ruben Neves replied for Wolves in the 14th minute.

Wolves had looked the more likely winners in a dull second half but Keane’s towering header in the 77th minute sealed maximum points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Everton moved into the top four with 32 points from 17 games while Wolves dropped a place to 14th spot with 22 points.

Without injured striker and talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s goal threat looked diminished.

But Iwobi scored his first English Premier League goal for 15 months and England defender Keane proved an unlikely match winner.

“I thought we showed brilliant character. We had a few players missing today but showed the strength of the squad,” the former Burnley defender said.

“We are a massive threat from set plays. It wins us games. So, it is massive. I thought the lads did really well. Everyone worked their socks off.”

Everton have scored nine headed goals this season, more than any other team in the top flight.

Keane’s effort would have got a nod of approval from the club’s former aerial wizards such as Bob Latchford and Duncan Ferguson.

When Andre Gomes had the ball out on the left there appeared to be no immediate danger.

But his outswinging cross was met by a soaring Keane whose thumping header arrowed into the corner past a helpless Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

It was slightly harsh on Wolves who almost levelled again when Neves curled a free-kick against the outside of the post.

“Details. Details. Details. It is happening to us, we have to improve set-pieces focus,” Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo said after his side’s third league loss in five games.

Iwobi has often flattered to deceive since joining from Arsenal but his sixth minute opener was beautifully taken.

A sweeping move saw James Rodriguez pick out Lucas Digne and his ball inside was met sweetly by Iwobi whose first-time shot took a slight deflection off Conor Coady and past Patricio.

Wolves trailed for only seven minutes though as Neves showed great skill to direct a volley past Jordan Pickford from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s driven cross.

Everton were well-organised in the second half, however, and Keane’s header continued their superb away form.

“If you win here you have to have a good performance. We had a good game,” Ancelotti said.

“The game was in the balance. But we won, thanks to Michael Keane who scored a fantastic goal.”

Source: Reuters/NAN

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Despite unconvincing performances in the group stage, Nigeria beat holders Cameroon in the second round and South Africa, who sensationally knocked out hosts Egypt, in the quarterfinals.

Now regarded as one of the favourites after those two big wins, Iwobi is cautious about getting carried away.

“Normally you have to ignore and not pay attention to it,” Iwobi told BBC Sport.

“It’s a hard one to say. There’s still Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia. All four of us are capable of winning. We’ve all got quality players. I wouldn’t know who’s the favourite at this point in time.

“Even though we were able to win two games in the group stage, it wasn’t the greatest performance but sometimes you know you don’t have to play well to win games.

“Against Cameroon and South Africa I’d say we’ve done well, we dug deep. But it’s not the end, we have to continue against Algeria, we are very confident as we are able to beat the holders and a team that beat the hosts.

“It gives us the confidence but we will stay with a bit of humility and hopefully go on and win the game.”

Nigeria lost the 1990 Nations Cup final to hosts Algeria, but they have edged past the North Africans 1-0 in their last two meetings at the tournament in 2002 and 2010.

But Algeria, seeking a second Nations Cup triumph, are unbeaten in Egypt.

They came through against Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in their quarter-final following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

However, Arsenal forward Iwobi is not bothered about past history involving both nations or the recent form of the Desert Foxes.

“We are not worried about the way they’ve played and their unbeaten run. We just have to try and win it. Algeria is one of the great teams in Africa,” he said.

“We know it’s not going to be easy, they’ve got quality players but so do we. It’s going to be a great game to watch, let’s hope Nigeria can do it.

“If we manage to achieve success here, we will go down in history. I know it’s always been our childhood dream to win as many competitions as we can.”

Champions in 2013 before incredibly failing to qualify in 2015 and 2017, there is a feeling in the country that the Super Eagles could achieve a fourth success on the continental showpiece event.

“This is the biggest competition in Africa. Not only are we going to do Nigeria proud, but our own names and family names proud,” he added.

“We just have to go out there and take it one game at a time. Anything is possible.”

Source:  BBC

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