Image source, Getty ImagesThe fourth-round fixtures of the EFL Cup have been confirmed:
Arsenal v Brighton
Grimsby Town v Brentford
Swansea City v Manchester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham
Wrexham v Cardiff City
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Wolves v Chelsea
Wycombe v Fulham
Ties to be played in the week of 27 October
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Carabao Cup is, obviously, not Wolves' top priority this season - or, to put it another way, Wolves are about 35 Premier League points short of being able to make the Carabao Cup their priority.
But you've got to start somewhere, so last night's win over Everton came as much as a relief as a revelation.
Vitor Pereira might have learned some useful things about his squad too, but most important for now were the smiles and the cheers, lifting the misery that hung around Molineux after the lamentable show against Leeds.
This was a more sound performance than in the previous round against West Ham. Yes, Everton didn't start with a Premier League line-up, but for most of the second half they fielded largely the team that embarrassed Wolves just three weeks ago.
This sturdier version of Wolves was built, unusually for Pereira, on a back four.
"I'm here not to please myself," he explained, "but to find solutions, to try to put my players in a comfortable position, to feel comfortable to play in their level. And today, I like it."
Whether or not he employs it at Tottenham on Saturday, at least it is now clear that he has that option. Several players looked happier in their adjusted roles. Ladislav Krejci, signed primarily as a centre-back, started there for the first time and kept the team organised. Sam Johnstone brought a sense of calm to in goal.
Others just seemed sharper. Jhon Arias was more influential than in any of his previous appearances, while Andre - dropped again on Saturday - proved an effective midfield minesweeper. Tolu Arokodare, having appeared far short of fitness in his first two games, seized his chance with a remarkably confident finish.
And Marshall Munetsi, who alas may be destined to be a player valued more by managers for his unstinting work rate than by fans for his skills, answered some of that criticism with a well-taken and much deserved goal.
Regardless of the competition, this was an encouraging display. To be clear: Wolves' status in the Premier League remains deeply imperilled, even more so than this time last year, given the form of the promoted teams.
But last night it felt, for the first time in a few weeks, that Vitor Pereira might have the tools required to repair their position, just as he did last spring.
And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Crystal Palace winger Jobi McAnuff believes Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Everton was "really important" for Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, who has signed a new deal despite a winless start to the Premier League season:
"It's been a really poor start when you look at the Premier League campaign so far," McAnuff told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"It was really interesting the whole new contract scenario after such a bad start. Of course it was a vote of confidence to make sure the dressing room know that this is the guy they feel will take them forward, but at the same time it's only going to last a certain amount of time if you keep losing games.
"So the win was really important for him. Yes, it was a much changed team, but to get a bit of a feel-good factor going on around the place.
"When you haven't been playing well and you make those changes you're expecting those players to step up and stake a claim for the shirt and if you're a player who hasn't been in the team with results not going your way you're wondering how you haven't got in the team.
"You have to use these moments as opportunities to make the manager's decision for him and come into the team and hopefully turn that form round. A much-needed win but they need this in the league now.
"It's a little step certainly in the right direction - just that feeling of winning a game that they haven't had in the Premier League. Things can spiral quite quickly, especially with the promoted teams starting well, so there might have been alarm bells ringing with the quality that has left the club as well.
"It's just a matter of getting themselves going. That first win is going to be massive for them and they need it sooner rather than later."
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves manager Vitor Pereira speaking after their 2-0 win over Everton in the Carabao Cup: "It was nice to see the players with confidence, playing good football, controlling the game [with] character and team spirit. The players have quality, and we can bring a team stronger and get points in the league.
"A good result can change everything. It can change the spirit of the team, change the atmosphere. I've missed it a lot, the smiles of my players and the supporters, and today I think we have reasons to smile."
On changing his system: "I'm here not to please myself but to find solutions. To try to put my players in comfortable positions, to feel comfortable [and] to play at their level. Today, I liked it. Sometimes we used to say that we need to change to get different things. Today, I think we did it.
"At this moment, we can use both formations. Of course, we just had one day to change. But the intention of the game is the same. You can change the system and I'm very happy for my players."
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was a contrasting atmosphere at the beginning and end of the game at Molineux.
Many Wolves fans had stayed away, unhappy with the way owners Fosun are running the club, but by the end they were chanting Vitor Pereira's name after a much-needed win.
The five straight Premier League defeats have left supporters fearing the worst, although there is quiet confidence internally that Pereira will get it right with time.
That will be highlighted by victory against Everton, albeit it was a much-changed side from that which won at Molineux in the league last month.
Both Wolves' victories in the EFL Cup have come against Premier League opposition and they will take heart from those as they search for a first league win.
Jorgen Strand Larsen returns to the starting XI for Wolves after shaking off an Achilles problem.
The striker came off the bench in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Leeds having missed the previous two games.
Only Ladislav Krejci and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde keep their place from the loss - Wolves' fifth straight Premier League defeat.
Wolves XI: Johnstone, Doherty, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Bellegarde, Andre, Munetsi, Arias, Hwang, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Bentley, Hoever, R Gomes, Wolfe, Toti, Agbadou, J Gomes, Lopez, Arokodare.
Tyler Dibling is handed his full debut for Everton after his summer move from Southampton.
Jake O'Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and James Garner keep their place from the 2-1 derby defeat to Liverpool.
Everton are chasing a second win at Molineux in a month after their 3-2 Premier League win in August.
Everton XI: Travers, Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, O'Brien, Alcaraz, Iroegunam, Garner, Dibling, McNeil, Barry
Subs: King, Patterson, Beto, Ndiaye, Mykolenko, Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Gueye, Aznou
There are eight games in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday - six involving Premier League sides - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Barnsley v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3
Burnley v Cardiff City
Fulham v Cambridge United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Lincoln City v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Wolves v Everton
Liverpool v Southampton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Lincoln v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Southampton", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds
Dazzling Dave
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves' struggles this season boil down to one thing: change. Too much of it, too fast.
First, the summer churn. Seven key departures and six arrivals is a high turnover in any industry, let alone football. The nucleus was ripped out. You can't fast-track chemistry. New players need time to understand roles, standards, and each other. Right now, it looks like a rebuild without rhythm.
Second, the starting XI keeps changing. We haven't had a settled team to build patterns, trust, and cohesion. Even Vítor Pereira admitted in his post-match press conference that he doesn't know his best XI. If the manager is still searching, the players will be too. That uncertainty shows in the mistakes and the game management.
Where are the leaders? Right now, the silence is deafening.
We lost strong voices and characters on the pitch and didn't replace them. Toti is the new captain, but the extra responsibility seems to have unsettled his usual play.
Then there is the change we need. Agbadou has made critical errors that have cost goals and points. The defence looks fragile, shipping three at home to Leeds, a side that hadn't scored from open play this season. We spent £30m on a central defender in Ladislav Krejci and have played him in midfield. He is a seasoned leader and could help shore up the back line. That adjustment feels overdue.
Finally, the fans want change. The unrest is growing, clear in the chants aimed at Fosun: "You've sold the team, now sell the club." Supporters can accept a rebuild, but they want a plan, clarity, and visible progress, instead Wolves seem to regress year on year as we consistently sell our best players.
Wolves don't need new ideas. Vitor needs to know his best team. Settle the XI, restore leadership, fix the back line, and stick to it. Stability is the first step to points.
Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external
Not a Wolves fan? Follow your club and sign up for notifications
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Wolves' future under Vitor Pereira.
Here are some of your comments:
Robin: Eight defeats in 10 games. No leadership on the pitch. Get Nuno back if he'd take the job.
Robert: With these two central defenders we will go to the Championship. Their positioning throughout the game was disgusting, no understanding whatsoever. Can Pereira not see this?
Mark: We are hamstrung by having a squad of - at best - mediocre players. Playing three at the back with wing-backs and only two midfielders is clearly beyond their abilities. The system has served us well in the past - but with far superior players. It might be time to revert to a less expansive 4-4-2 system until we have the players capable of the flexibility the current system requires.
Gerry: You can't keep selling key and experienced players and replacing them with 'unknowns'. Sadly, it can only end one way.
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves boss Vitor Pereira says a win over Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup would give his side the "confidence" to turn their Premier League form around.
While they have lost all five of their league games, Wolves did beat West Ham in their second-round tie last month.
"It would give us confidence," said Pereira. "We don't have time to think a lot about this [Leeds defeat] game.
"We need to focus on the next one. We need to improve ourselves, I need to improve myself and my players and we'll try to do it.
"All of them deserves to play. All of them because I cannot see one single player that is not working in the best level or fighting and working to play the games.
"Everyone deserves to play."
Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is expected to feature having managed 45 minutes in Saturday's game after his Achilles injury.
Tom Gayle
MOTD commentator at Molineux
Image source, Getty ImagesVitor Pereira had described the game against Leeds at Molineux as "must win".
Following a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory for the visitors, it was no surprise the Wolves boss took nearly all of the 45-minute window allowed before commencing his post-match media commitments.
Last season, Wolves supporters fell in love with their head coach. He took over a team heading towards the Championship and was able to comfortably guide them to safety. Despite their horrendous start to the new campaign, and the boos which greeted the full-time whistle on Saturday, fans appear to be behind Pereira.
Their audible frustration was directed toward the board. The first sign of unrest singled out executive chairman Jeff Shi, but then followed: "You've sold the team, now sell the club."
Ownership group Fosun has sanctioned the sales of Ruben Neves, Max Kilman, Pedro Neto, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mateus Cunha over the past three summers.
Two days after signing a new three-year contract, Pereira was understandably comfortable when fending off questions regarding his future. However, while high-profile departures have weakened his team, the poor run of results cannot solely be explained by the club's transfer strategy. Pereria has to shoulder some of the blame.
Wolves' defending appears to be the biggest area of concern. Part of Pereira's success last season was turning around a side who had, statistically, the worst defence in the division under Gary O'Neil.
The January addition of Emmanuel Agbadou proved to be key - but on Saturday's evidence, the centre-back is nowhere near the performance levels which consistently impressed last season.
That Pereria does not know his best XI - something he was happy to admit before kick-off against Leeds - cannot be helping Agbadou and his team-mates. The Portuguese has named a different starting line-up for each game, with 14 changes across their five Premier League matches so far.
With the exceptions of Jose Sa, Joao Gomes, Matt Doherty and Hwang Hee-chan, Pereira's squad is predominantly made up of players with no more than a couple of years of Premier League football behind them. Unfamiliarity among the group, and a widespread lack of experience, is surely part of the reason Wolves continue to struggle.
It is understandable to view Pereira's time in charge with rose-tinted glasses. His infectious smile, mantra of "first the points, then the pints" and genuine desire to be part of the Wolverhampton community means he has plenty of credit in the bank among the fanbase.
However, the signs of drop-off have been evident since the start of May.
After six consecutive Premier League victories to the end of April, it is now one win in 10 - including eight defeats.
Pereira has earned the opportunity to try to turn things around but, for the second time in 12 months, it appears the Wolves board finds itself potentially moving towards having to question the future of a head coach only last week rewarded with a new long-term contract.
How are you feeling about the future under Pereira following a fifth straight defeat to start the league season? And how should Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Everton be approached in the circumstances?
Get in touch with your views here
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Leeds.
Here are some of your comments:
Wolves fan
Laura: The kind of performance that would normally make you think we weren't far away from a change of manager. No idea where we go from here - apart from the Championship. Too many players with too little experience in the Premier League and it shows.
Lee: This one is on Vitor Pereira, a manager who has just been given a new deal despite our abysmal start to the season. Why did Emanuel Agbadou start despite his awful form? Why is our most experienced signing Jhon Arias not starting? Why does the formation keep changing to no effect? Why don't we have any natural leaders in the squad? This was an embarrassment that has been caused by inept decision-making from the manager and ultimately the owners. It didn't need to be this way.
Dan: Everything that is happening at Wolves is worrying. Leeds weren't great, but just put a little pressure on us and we made mistakes and gifted goals. The team has no identity. It's just a group of players, who are individually pretty good, thrown together in the hope they will perform. Pack your bags for the Championship lads, if any of you bother sticking around for next season.
Mark: Played five, deserved to lose five. Yet another abysmal performance. The squad is simply not good enough to compete at this level. Hope, optimism and any positivity for survival this season has gone already. The fans have a voice that was made very clear at the game. This season we WILL be relegated.
Leeds fans
John: One swallow doesn't make a summer but a good result and plenty to build on. Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked the part, but it was Wolves we were playing. Anton Stach is settling in, and I'm still impressed with the defensive setup. I think Karl Darlow is our keeper now.
Si: Solid in defence and solid in midfield providing a good base. Now it looks like the attack have showed up too. Very encouraging while Darlow is playing himself into the number one shirt too. The pressure is off a bit for the time being. Hopefully, we can take some confidence from that game into a couple of tougher ones ahead.
Mark: Another three points towards safety and two more goals towards a positive goal difference. Delighted that we showed real organisation and resilience to come back from one down and a strong second half.
Andrew: I think it was a result that was coming. They were really unlucky last week and I think Calvert-Lewin just needed his first goal.
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
There is calm beneath the chaos of results at Wolves, despite the worst start to a league season in their history.
Four straight defeats to open the campaign had raised the anxiety levels, supporters fearing the worst after recent battles against the drop.
A fifth, Saturday's 3-1 loss to Leeds, only exacerbated those concerns after Wolves lost an early lead to concede three times in 14 first-half minutes.
Bottom, pointless and winless, these are worrying times for Wolves fans. Only two teams have survived in the Premier League having lost their first five games.
But there remains a determination at the club after a busy week with new deals for boss Vitor Pereira and striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, showing the methodical approach behind the scenes.
Pereira's new three-year contract comes at a time of struggle, although talks had been ongoing throughout the summer.
Wolves recognise the optics may look strange coming off the back of a poor run but it would also look reactionary if it was announced once they got a win. There are few perfect times.
When he arrived in December, the Portuguese manager had 12 clubs on his CV. His longest spell was three years with Shanghai SIPG in China and he said that, in jumping from job to job, he had made some wrong decisions.
But they were all designed to get him to the Premier League and, in his first 10 months in charge, Pereira has proved he can handle it in a division he fought so hard to reach.
Wolves handed Gary O'Neil a new four-year deal on the eve of last season, only to sack him four months into the campaign, so while the contract does not necessarily protect Pereira from the same fate there is no desire for history to repeat itself.
Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Vitor Pereira spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Wolves' defeat against Leeds United: "The first half we are not aggressive under pressure, especially the defenders. They played with a lot of space. We were not doing our pressure in the way we need to do it. We are trying to correct the mistakes but they happen again.
"The second half was different. We didn't conceded anything to them. We were not in the best level defending in the first half. We created some chances to score int he second half, but it's not easy because they defended with a low block."
On results dictating his future: "I am not worried about my future. I don't need to answer because I am not worried about my future. I am worried about the results. Of course I am confident I can turn it around."
Jorgen Strand Larsen spoke to Premier League Productions after Saturday's defeat: "I think we are in a really tough spot right now. I am really disappointed in all of us. Nobody wants to be in this situation but nobody else can complain about it, only ourselves. We were 1-0 up and cannot give the goals away we did today.
"It kills us, and it kills the people who want to come into the game, too. It's about the mentality of the players and we need to do better and hopefully we can do it because this league is too tough to be playing like this. The goals we conceded were easy crosses and we had give away passes.
"I think the goal we scored shows the quality we have but then again we cannot only be good on the ball. Sometimes we need to win 1-0 at home, or 2-0, or not concede. That's about all of us.
"We need to change our mentality now it's going to be a long season. I believe in us, I believe in the manager. What we have is something special which we showed last season. We have the quality and just need to focus on the small details."
Did you know?
Wolves have lost four of their last 11 home matches in the Premier League after scoring first (W7), this after losing just two of their previous 71 home matches in which they went 1-0 up.
Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesHaving had a full week of training with his whole squad for the first time this season, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira - who signed a new three-year contract earlier this week - will have been hopeful of getting off the mark against a Leeds side with problems of their own.
When three summer signings combined to give the hosts an eighth-minute lead, it seemed as if Wolves' efforts on the training pitch were beginning to bear fruit.
Fer Lopez's first-time pass from Tolu Arokodare's lay-off was perfectly weighted for Ladislav Krejci, whose lofted finish was just as easy on the eye.
The Girona loanee's goal proved to be nothing more than a false dawn, however, as familiar failings reared their head before the break.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin comfortably beat Yerson Mosquera in the air to head Leeds level, while Krejci's foul that led to the visitors' second was naive in the extreme.
Leeds' third goal was a dreadful one from a Wolves perspective, as Emmanuel Agbadou's poor pass allowed Anton Stach to send Noah Okafor racing clear and finish with aplomb.
Hugo Bueno was lively after coming on at half-time and Karl Darlow did well to save Marshall Munetsi's goal-bound header but there was little improvement from the home side in the second period.
The final whistle was met by loud boos from the Wolves fans, leaving Pereira with plenty to ponder ahead of next weekend's trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Wolves' performance
What did you make of Leeds' display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Vitor Pereira makes four changes to the Wolves team that started last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Jose Sa, Jackson Tchatchoua, Toluwalase Arokodare and Fer Lopez - who makes his first Premier League start - all come in. Sam Johnstone, Hugo Bueno, Andre and Hwang Hee-chan drop to the bench, where they are joined by fit-again striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Wolves XI: Sa, Agbadou, Mosquera, Toti Gomes, Tchatchoua, Lopez, Joao Gomes, Krejci, Rodrigo Gomes, Arokodare, Bellegarde
Subs: Johnstone, Hugo Bueno, Santiago Bueno, Munetsi, Andre, Strand Larsen, Arias, Hwang, Hoever
Daniel Farke keeps faith with the Leeds side that started their dramatic 1-0 defeat away to Fulham last Saturday.
Joel Piroe is on the bench after recovering from injury, but Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto miss out.
Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Ampadu, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
Subs: Meslier, Piroe, Nmecha, Bijol, Harrison, Tanaka, Justin, Gruev, Gray
There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Liverpool v Everton (12:30)
Brighton v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Burnley v Nottingham Forest
West Ham v Crystal Palace
Wolves v Leeds
Manchester United v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Fulham v Brentford (20:00)
Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated
When I lost at predictions a few weeks running last season, I didn't get a call from the BBC offering me a new deal. Yet that seems to have happened with Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, which is really odd.
They have already lost their first four league games and, if he loses the next four, they will be calling for his head.
Wolves might feel they deserved something from their defeat at Newcastle last time out, after starting that game quite well, but that is nothing on how devastated Leeds will be feeling after losing out to a last-gasp own goal at Fulham.
That left Leeds without a point or even a goal on the road, while Wolves are without a point at all, so something has to give here.
Wolves are without the injured Jorgen Strand Larsen up front, which is a blow, but I'm still backing them to win this one.
Maybe a new contract for Pereira will mean a new dawn for his team?
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
