Molineux bade farewell to the Premier League with a goalless draw as

Wolves avoided an unwanted place in the record books.

One more home defeat would have made it 14 for the season and 10 in a row,

equalling records both held by Sunderland, but Terry Connor's side battled hard

to deny an Everton side fighting for seventh place.

The visitors certainly had the better of the chances and twice had the ball in

the back of the net, but Nikica Jelavic and Denis Stracqualursi were both denied

by offside flags.

Despite the scoreline, it was an open game with chances for both sides, and

arguably the best of the first-half opportunities came in only the fifth minute

when Marouane Fellaini's flicked header landed at the feet of Tim Cahill 10

yards out but he shot straight at Dorus De Vries.

Jelavic had scored six goals in his last four league games and he had his first

sight of goal in the 14th minute when he was found by Phil Jagielka's long

diagonal pass, but Richard Stearman stayed with the striker and did very well to

block his shot.

Kevin Doyle and James McFadden both snatched at chances while Leon Osman wanted

a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Michael Kightly, but referee

Lee Mason was unmoved.

It would have been a very memorable day for Tony Hibbert had he netted his

first goal for Everton after more than 300 games, and his fierce volley would

certainly have tested De Vries had Stephen Ward not got his body in the way.

Wolves had their best opening in the 26th minute when Stephen Hunt's free-kick

was header just over by Christophe Berra, but Everton, and Steven Pienaar in

particular, were starting to take a grip on the game.

The midfielder might have done better than fire over when well placed, while

his clever ball found Jelavic but he was flagged offside as he shot past De

Vries in what looked a marginal decision.

The hosts were living dangerously, and Ronald Zubar would have been very

grateful to see his header from Hibbert's cross drop just past the post, while

at the other end an isolated Steven Fletcher blazed over the bar.

Wolves threatened right at the start of the second half as Hunt and Fletcher

combined to play in Stearman on the left of the area but the ball had just too

much pace on it and the defender could not control his cutback.

Hibbert had been a real thorn in Wolves' side down the right and another

pinpoint cross should really have been buried by Fellaini instead of placed over

the bar.

De Vries was then forced into his first real save of the match from a Jelavic

free-kick 25 yards out, the keeper plunging to his left.

Boss David Moyes sent on Stracqualursi for McFadden and he was into the action

immediately with a shot that was well blocked by Ward, while Sylvan Ebanks-Blake

replaced Fletcher for Wolves.

The Scot, who is likely to be a target for Premier League clubs in the summer,

received a very warm reception from the home fans.

There was a real lack of intensity about the game but a burst from Karl Henry

provided a shooting opportunity for Kightly, who pulled his effort well wide.

Jelavic had been pretty quiet but he certainly should have tested De Vries in

the 72nd minute when he beat the defence to a long ball only to pull his shot

wide of the far post.

The visitors had the ball in the net for a second time moments later as

Jelavic's cross was turned in by Stracqualursi at the far post but again it was

ruled out for offside, although it was Fellaini, who had also lunged for the

ball, who was the culprit.

Everton continued to press but the Wolves defence held firm to earn their first

home point since December.