In a crucial match at the bottom end of the Premier League, Nottingham Forest and Everton shared the points in an feisty affair at the City Ground. Goals from Demari Gray and Abdoulaye Doucoure were cancelled out by a Brennan Johnson double as Forest stretch their unbeaten home run in the league to nine. The Reds are now 14th in the table and remain four points clear off the bottom three. The Toffee's remain in the relegation zone but only on goal difference as they are tied on points with Leeds United.
Steve Cooper made one change to his side that was swept away late on by West Ham United last week. Serge Aurier came back into the side following his injury, Neco Williams was the man who dropped out. Renan Lodi, who was a doubt for the game, started in defence. Sean Dyche made two switches to his team that lost 4-0 to league leaders Arsenal in midweek. Demari Gray lead the line, coming in for Neal Maupay. Vitalii Mykolenko came out the squad and Ben Godfrey replaced him.
After ten minutes, Dwight McNeil went down just inside the box under the challenge of Jonjo Shelvey and referee John Brooks pointed straight to the spot. Former Leicester City man Demari Gray coolly converted from the spot to score his fourth goal of the Premier League campaign. The forward scored in the reverse fixture back in August.
Just a couple of minutes later, Forest were level. Morgan Gibbs-White made his way into the box after playing a nice one two with Chris Wood. His shot was saved by Jordan Pickford but Johnson was there to pounce on the rebound and equalise for the Reds. It was a first goal in three games for the Welshman, who's form has risen up since the World Cup.
The visitors retook the lead 15 minutes before half time. An free kick was launched deep into the Forest penalty area, Michael Keane headed on for Doucoure who headed it past Navas. It was the former Watford midfielders first goal of the season and it was the perfect time to get it.
It was almost three for Dyche's men. Five minutes before half time. McNeil was allowed time and space to get a shot off from distance. This was tipped over by Navas as Everton looked to pile on more pressure on the Forest goal. The former Burnley man has not scored since October and was looking to change it in the Sunday kick off.
That was it for the first half. Forest behind at home at half time for the first time since January in an game that would of seen them go seven points clear of the bottom three if they won. It was an half of minimal chances as both team's could not create an opening. Everton taking their chances well and were frustrating Cooper's men.
It took a while for the first chance in the second half. It proved to be a vital chance though as Forest equalised in the 78th minute. After Everton gave the ball away in their own half. Johnson played a one two with substitute Ryan Yates before thundering his shot into the top left corner and beating Pickford. The Welshman is on nine goals in the Premier League and will be looking to add more in the coming games. Yates with an assist on his first game back after picking up an injury at Bournemouth in January.
Momentum was flowing the way of Forest as they launched a counter attack with ten minutes to go. Gibbs-White put through substitute Andre Ayew on the left side and his low shot was pushed away by Pickford. Johnson couldn't quite reach the ball for the follow up and couldn't get his hat-trick.
That momentum could not find the winning goal and it finished 2-2 at the City Ground. Both sides left frustrated as a win would of put them in an good position in the table for this relegation battle. Next up for Forest they travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur where they will look to turn their away woes around after winning just one away game and scoring three goals all season. For Everton, they host Brentford at Goodison Park where they will be looking to get out the bottom three and to start building a gap. Both sides will want to start picking up wins as it is getting to a crucial stage of the season where survival is the top priority.
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