What The Papers Say - 13 January

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

Reaction to Everton's 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers dominates Wednesday's media. 

Goals in either half from Alex Iwobi and Michael Keane earned the Blues - playing without top goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin and with Richarlison only fit enough for a place on the substitutes' bench - their sixth win from nine away games this term and moved them back into the Premier League's top four. 

The Times wrote that "while they remain outsiders this season, Carlo Ancelotti has put this grand old club firmly back in the [title] conversation again,' and that under the Italian, Everton "have developed a fortitude that enables them to keep winning even when weakened".

The Daily Telegraph adds that the triumph over Nuno Espírito Santo's side, for whom Ruben Neves struck the consolation goal, was "further evidence of Everton’s upward trajectory under" Ancelotti. 

The Liverpool Echo, meanwhile, reserved their highest praise for the performances of goalcoring duo Iwobi and Keane and talisman James Rodriguez, with all three players being awarded a rating of eight out of 10. 

The Times, Daily Mirror and Daily Star all report that Aston Villa have asked the Premier League to postpone Sunday's game against Everton at Villa Park.

Dean Smith's side are continuing to battle against a COVID-19 outbreak within their squad, and successfully requested for their Wednesday night fixture against Tottenham Hotspur to be put back as a result. 

Back to the Liverpool Echo and the local papers suggests 18-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite is close to leaving Goodison Park on loan. 

Despite interest from three other Championship clubs, the defender is expected to join Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season as the Toffees seek further first-team experience for the teenager.

Ancelotti discusses Abdoulaye Doucoure's one-match suspension in the Echo and says the Frenchman's enforced absence may be well-timed with him having been ever-present for the Blues in the league this term. 

Doucoure collected his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Wolves and will now sit out Everton's next top-flight fixture. 

"He needs to rest, he needs to rest," Ancelotti stressed.

"He did really well until now. It was a fantastic signing and he brings a lot of energy to our squad. He deserves a good rest."

Everton are looking to sign Granada's Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Silva on a pre-contract deal this month, according to a report by Spain's Estadio Deportivo.

The 26-year-old's contract expires in the summer and the Blues are rumoured to be in the hunt, despite Granada's La Liga rivals Real Betis having previously been thought to have won the race for his signature.

Finally, Bayern Munich are set to tie Reading defender Omar Richards to a pre-contract agreement, according to the Guardian

The article suggests Everton and West Ham United had previously been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who has one cap for England's Under-21 side.