Nottingham Forest 0 Everton 1
Everton were the visitors to the City Ground, desperate for points, after their recent points deduction had sent them plunging into the bottom three. Steve Cooper’s side were hoping to continue the impressive home form that had saved them from such problems last season.
The Forest boss was rumoured to be under pressure from the club’s owners having only won one of their last nine games. The Toffees did him no favours as they started the game like a side psyched up with everyone against them.
Tarkowski hit a long ball into the box and Forest keeper Vlachodimos fumbled the ball under pressure from Boly and McNeil, with the ball dropping to Beto who struck the ball over the crossbar on the half volley. The sort of chance Everton need to start scoring if they are going to climb the table.
Cooper’s side then created their first chance of the game as Aurier’s cross came through a sea of players to Elanga at the back post. The ex-Man Utd man tried to drill an effort into the bottom corner but saw it go well wide of the far post.
Credit: @NFFC
The hosts were looking scrappy and as Yates lost the ball, Doucoure played it into the path of McNeil in the box whose shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by Murillo. He was lucky to do that as his clearance clipped the post on its way back out.
Much like the development of their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, the football team were struggling to finish. Proven goalscorers seem in short supply in the Premier League this season among many clubs and Sean Dyche is as desperate as anyone to find one.
Tarkowski was caught dwelling on the ball in added time at the end of the first half and as Forest worked it to the back post, Gibbs-White will have been disappointed to see his effort go the wrong side of the post with Pickford scrambling.
Forest started the second half well, knocking on the door of the Everton goal. As the visitors failed to clear a corner, it dropped to Felipe, who swung a boot at it. Much to the disbelief of the home fans, it rebounded off the outside of the post for a goal kick.
Beto then won a free kick for his side on the halfway line for Everton. Pickford came forward to take it and lofted a ball into the box. As Harrison’s cross dropped to the back post, McNeil took one touch to control it, before thundering an effort into the top corner.
Dyche will have felt it was no more than his side deserved as they were slightly the better team in the game. However, knowing that clean sheets were as rare as competent accountants at the club, a second goal may be needed.
Credit: @Everton
The hosts came forward and Murillo got a shot away from the edge of the box but Pickford was equal to it as he parried the ball away from goal. Whatever it takes for The Toffees, as they tried to protect their slender advantage.
Cooper’s side were starting to turn the screw and as the ball dropped to Elanga on the edge of the box, he tried to bend one in the far corner. With Pickford at full stretch, or as close as he gets to that, all in blue were relieved to see the ball bounce wide of the goal.
It was a huge victory for Everton who moved one step closer to safety and will have pleased their gravely-voiced manager. Cooper felt hard done by that his side should have had a penalty but who knows what constitutes a foul nowadays.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.