Liam Keen comment: Wolves' battling performance showed a team united

It was the second game in an embarrassing four-match losing run that eventually cost Gary O'Neil his job and gave Vitor Pereira the chance to save Wolves' Premier League status.

On that winter evening at Goodison Park, Wolves were battered by set pieces, ripped apart in the physical battle and well beaten. It was a dark day in an already tough season.

On Saturday night Wolves welcomed the Toffees to Molineux, with both sides in a much different place.

Everton came into the game unbeaten in seven top flight matches, with David Moyes returning to the club and dragging them out of the relegation battle.

Pereira has had a tougher run than that, but has instilled a belief in his side that means they have survival in their own hands in the final weeks of the season.

And the difference in performance against Everton on Saturday, compared to the 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, was night and day.

Pereira described it as a 'consistent' performance, and that hits the nail on the head. Wolves were not emotional or erratic, they were level-headed and dependable, while also showing plenty of fight.

It was a fairly even start to the game, with Wolves dominating possession but both sides have sights of goal.

Jack Harrison's opener was unfortunate due to the huge deflection it took off Matt Doherty, but Wolves also did not deal with the transition well enough.

Emmanuel Agbadou's pass out from defence was poor and Nelson Semedo was caught so far out of possession that the switch of play from Jesper Lindstrom cut Wolves open.

Pereira wants his full-backs to attack and be aggressive, but they also need to track back and Semedo was the furthest Wolves player forward when Harrison picked up the ball. That is not good enough from the experienced captain.

It was crucial that Wolves responded quickly and before half-time to keep the fans on board and to make sure the nerves did not creep in.

It only took seven minutes for them to fire back in style. Rayan Ait-Nouri did well with a pass inside to find the marauding Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who charged forward before playing an intelligent pass into Marshall Munetsi, who did enough to slide in and beat Jordan Pickford.

It was a well-worked and deserved goal that levelled proceedings at the break.

In the second half, Wolves dominated against an Everton side going through the motions.

Jorgen Strand Larsen had a good shot saved as the hosts pushed for a winner - willed on by the home fans.

Bellegarde was excellent and Pablo Sarabia had a good impact from the bench, but otherwise Wolves were just missing that clinical edge to score a second.

For all of their control over the game they could have created more clear-cut chances and Everton were able to see the game out for a 1-1 draw.

Although there will be a tinge of frustration that Wolves did not win the game, it was a good point that now gives them something to build from.

Moyes has done a fantastic job at Everton, with an average squad, and they are a tough team to face on current form.

Wolves may have missed a chance to get three points, but in the first game without Matheus Cunha, the team proved they can perform and fight and it is a positive step in the right direction for a team on course for survival.

Losing the talent of Cunha meant Wolves needed to show a mixture of quality and character against the Toffees.

The equaliser showed the former, while the attitude of the squad proved the latter.

Cunha's ridiculous antics were no longer a distraction and although losing his immense talent is a blow, it allowed the team to chart their own course in this fixture.

Andre and Joao Gomes were like men possessed in midfield, winning every tackle and carrying the ball forward with purpose.

The back three of Doherty, Agbadou and Toti Gomes stood tall as three colossal defenders desperate to preserve at least a point.

Even with Wolves' second half dominance, goalkeeper Jose Sa had to step up to deny Beto and he did so excellently.

The team will need a bit more quality in the final third if they are to adequality cover Cunha's ban and take advantage of some favourable fixtures, but Pereira had them playing like a team again, rather than a one man show.

The confidence gained from this consistent performance and hard-earned point should mean Wolves go into the Southampton game next targeting a huge three points.

If Pereira and his team take the right steps in the coming weeks, they can secure safety sooner rather than later.