Everton secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with goals from former Forest loanee James Garner and Thierno Barry handing David Moyes's side a deserved three points. The result extends Forest's losing streak to three matches and increases the pressure on manager Sean Dyche ahead of a daunting January fixture list.
Garner Haunts Former Club in First-Half Breakthrough
After a sluggish opening from both sides, Everton produced the game's first moment of quality to take the lead. Winger Dwight McNeil, previously linked with a January move to reunite with Dyche, played a clever pass to release James Garner. The midfielder, who spent 18 months on loan at Forest and helped them win promotion in 2022 under Steve Cooper, wriggled past Morgan Gibbs-White before calmly slotting his finish into the far corner. In a respectful gesture, Garner refused to celebrate the goal against his former club.
Forest, still aggrieved after submitting an official complaint to refereeing body PGMO regarding decisions in their weekend loss to Manchester City, offered little in response. Their attack was stifled by a well-organised Everton defence, where Jake O'Brien and James Tarkowski proved formidable. Neco Williams provided some threat from full-back, but it took until the 44th minute for the hosts to register a shot on target, a whipped free-kick from Oleksandr Zinchenko that forced Jordan Pickford into an awkward save.
Forest Frustration Mounts Before Barry Seals It
Dyche sought to change the dynamic at half-time, introducing Douglas Luiz. The substitute forced a save with a powerful long-range effort, but Forest's play was characterised by frustration. Key forward Igor Jesus fired wide after a defensive mix-up before being replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi. Morgan Gibbs-White then sent a free header wide from another dangerous Williams cross, summing up a profligate evening for the home side.
Everton, with Jack Grealish only fit enough for the bench due to illness, remained a threat on the counter. The excellent Garner created another chance, his cross just evading Tarkowski at the back post. Forest finally crafted a golden opportunity to equalise, but Awoniyi and substitute Dilane Bakwa were both too slow to convert Williams's squared pass into the box. That miss proved costly, as Everton punished them decisively on 79 minutes. Thierno Barry doubled the visitors' advantage, securing a victory that had long seemed on the cards.
Consequences for the Premier League Battle
This result is a significant boost for Everton and David Moyes, whose squad has been stretched thin. The win, their first since the reverse fixture against Forest almost four weeks ago, provides vital breathing space. For Nottingham Forest and Sean Dyche, however, the problems are mounting. This third consecutive defeat leaves them looking nervously over their shoulder, with West Ham now just four points behind.
The immediate future looks challenging for Forest, with five of their next six Premier League fixtures away from home. Sandwiched within that run is a daunting trip to the London Stadium to face the resurgent Hammers. Dyche will need to find a rapid solution to his side's lethargy and lack of cutting edge if they are to avoid being dragged into a serious relegation scrap.
