Everton claimed what could be a massive three points in the Premier League relegation battle after beating fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Goodison Park. Goals in each half by Idrissa Gana Gueye and Dwight McNeil ultimately got the Blues over the line with yet another disappointing afternoon for Forest to look back on.
Sean Dyche made four changes from his sides humiliating defeat at Chelsea. Seamus Coleman, Amadou Onana, James Garner and Beto all came out the side with Gueye, Jack Harrison, Andre Gomes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin replacing them. Both Calvert-Lewin and Jarrad Branthwaite were both doubts going into the game so it was a big bonus for Dyche to have them both available for an important encounter. Nuno Espírito Santo made two changes from the side that drew to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both Andrew Omobamidele and Ryan Yates dropped to the bench with Moussa Niakhate and Nicolas Dominguez coming into the side. Niakhate making his first start since the 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa in February. There was a spot for Anthony Elanga on the bench who returned following an injury.
It took just under half an hour for the home side to take the lead as Gueye opened the scoring. Following a Forest clearance, the ball fell out to the Senegalese midfielder and his low shot from the edge of the box rolled into the bottom corner. A big goal for the Toffees and a second league goal for Gueye who is on his second stint at the club.
Forest came close to an equaliser when Giovani Reyna headed the ball down to Morgan Gibbs-White who’s volley fell to Chris Wood at the far post and he was denied brilliantly by Jordan Pickford from close range. It looked almost a certain equaliser for the Reds but England’s number one doing brilliant to keep Wood out.
That was it for the first half as Everton went into the break 1-0 up. The encounter between the two clearly showing why they’re are both fighting for their life at the bottom end of the Premier League table with both sides showing poor performances. A big second half was needed by Forest if they wanted to pick any points up.
Forest were the first side to create a chance in the second half. Murillo with a long ball forward that James Tarkowski tried to head away but he headed it into the path of Gibbs-White who’s shot from the left side of the box went just wide. Almost a moment to forget for Everton as Forest came close to an equaliser.
Everton then doubled their lead with 15 minutes to go. McNeil wasn’t closed down on the edge of the box and his low shot hit the inside of the post and went over the line to get his third league goal of the season and to secure three points. McNeil causing Forest problems again after scoring in the reverse fixture at Christmas as poor defending from Forest let them down again.
That was the final action of the game as Everton claim a big three points for survival. The result could see them as good as safe as they sit four points clear of Forest and five points clear of Luton Town. Next up for the Toffees is the Merseyside derby where they host Liverpool. Forest with another poor showing and a real opportunity missed to build a gap between them and Luton. The Reds will feel disappointed with decisions again but ultimately it’s the performance that cost them. They sit one point clear of Luton and now only three clear of Burnley ahead of their home game against champions Manchester City.
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