Everton beat Forest at their own game to dent Trees’ Champions League tilt
Nottingham Forest 0 – 1 Everton
For long stretches, it felt as though Moyes’s men just needed to get their act together to make the telling breakthrough and the points would be theirs. It eventually came very late but Doucouré's winner was no more than Everton deserved
There was an argument to be made that in the midst of a run of five successive matches against the current top five, Everton’s trip to Nottingham Forest was among the most difficult of the assignments. Unbeaten at the City Ground since November, possessing the most clean sheets in the top flight, and looking formidable in their improbable charge into third place in the Premier League, Forest made for daunting opponents.
The reality that unfolded in the East Midlands sunshine this afternoon, however, was very different and it undermined much of the hype around Nuno Espirito Santo’s side who, almost throughout, looked more like the team that had been struggling at the wrong end of the table with the Toffees last year than an outfit with Champions League aspirations. There were occasional flashes of the deadly counter-attacking outfit they have shown themselves to be this season but, for the most part, they played second fiddle to an Everton team that controlled this contest almost from start to finish.
For long stretches, it felt as though David Moyes’s men just needed to get their act together to make the telling breakthrough and the points would probably be theirs. It eventually came — very late and in very Forest-esque fashion! — through the almost ludicrously enigmatic figure of Abdoulaye Doucouré but the French-born midfielder’s fabulous winner was no more than the visitors deserved.
Doucouré has come to crystallise the tension between pragmatic Everton, scrapping away for points in the lower reaches of the League and now trying to end the campaign as high up the table as possible, and the tantalising prospect of something altogether more cultured and capable of challenging in the right half in 2025/26. Frustratingly inept at times in the final third, a feeling encapsulated in a dreadful first-half pass aimed in the general direction of Armando Broja that ended a promising move outside the hosts’ penalty area, the Blues’ No 16 was many fans’ pick to make way for Carlos Alcaraz in the second period.
Moyes, however, having sung his praises after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, kept faith with Doucouré and he produced a fine finish at the end of a three-on-two counter to win the game for the Blues in stoppage time. Fittingly, given that despite having spent four months on the sidelines with a knee injury he was still Everton’s top creator of goals, Dwight McNeil laid on the crucial assist just moments after entering the fray.
The manager’s other comments after the Gunners game hinted that the intricacies around the terms of the Club’s agreement with Flamengo for Alcaraz is dictating how many starts the Argentine is being handed so it was frustrating but not surprising to see him take his place on the substitutes’ bench once more alongside McNeil.
Doucouré was preferred in the role behind the striker but this time Armando Broja was given the chance to impress for his first start since the reverse fixture against the Trees in November with Beto making way. Vitalii Mykolenko was fit again to take his place at left-back and James Garner was restored alongside Idrissa Gueye in central midfield.
Notorious for ceding possession to the opposition under Santo, Forest were a non-entity in the match as an attacking force for the first 26 minutes. By contrast, Everton, for so long under Sean Dyche as allergic to extended possession as today’s hosts, were measured and composed but let themselves down with poor execution in attacking areas.
Broja and Iliman Ndiaye were each picked out with balls into the box inside the first 11 minutes but were unable to bring it under their spell to get off a shot while Jack Harrison despatched a rising shot over the crossbar in the 19th minute as the Blues signalled their intentions.
They went closer shortly afterwards, Ndiaye dancing his way past a couple of players and firing between Nikola Milenković’s legs but his weak shot was comfortably saved before Harrison slipped a pass inside for Garner to fire goal-wards buts Matz Sels parried his effort.
For Forest, Jota Silva was the first to threaten in the first with a tame shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross and an equally harmless header from the same source, both of which were easily dealt with by Jordan Pickford while Ndiaye popped up in the other box to meet Harrison’s cross but could only plant his header into the goalkeeper’s arms.
So buoyant and vocal before the first whistle, the home fans had become increasingly restless as the first period wore on but they were given hope by their team in the minutes before the interval when Morgan Gibbs-White flashed a long-range “sighter” just wide and Forest broke in trademark fashion in stoppage time when Chris Wood released Hudson-Odoi but Pickford was equal to his shot, beating it away from goal.
The opening exchanges of the second half would have given the Forest faithful more hope that their players could rouse themselves from their torpor as they emerged from the break with a bit more purpose and a greater desire to try and get the ball down and work their way through the Blues’ rearguard. When the otherwise faultless Idrissa Gueye was dispossessed in the middle and the ball quickly worked to Hudson-Odoi, the winger cut back around Jake O’Brien onto his right foot but his shot lacked conviction.
However, it was Everton who carved out the best chance of the game to that point a minute later when James Tarkowski sent a raking ball over the top for Ndiaye but while his first touch was immaculate, his second saw the ball run just a little too far off his boot and Sels was able to come out and make a vital block.
After Broja had made way for Beto, Gibbs-White tried to guide an Alex Moreno cross inside the far post with the outside of his boot but Pickford was alive to the danger while, at the other end, O’Brien had a shot in the box charged down resulting in one of seven corners the Toffees would have on the day, none of which ever looked likely to cause the hosts problems.
By this stage, with the lively Alcaraz coming off the bench for Ndiaye and driving the side forward, there only looked to be one winner. Doucouré’s left-footed drive at the back post was blocked behind in the 73rd minute and two minutes later, an excellent counter-attack led by Alcaraz ended with Doucouré’s reverse pass to Harrison but after spinning onto the ball, he could only blaze narrowly over the bar from near the penalty spot.
After Garner bobbled a terrible effort well wide, Beto had a penalty claim rejected by both Craig Pawson and the Video Assistant Referee and Alcaraz had ballooned Beto’s lay-off into the stand behind Sels’s goal, it looked as though Everton’s dominance was going to come to little else than a creditable but disappointing goalless draw.
However, as Forest went in search of an underserved winner in the five minutes of added time that would have kept them in the driving seat for a third-place finish, the Toffees pounced. McNeil, who had only entered the fray in the 90th minute seized on Murillo's errant touch a few yards inside Everton’s half and pushed forward before threading an inch-perfect ball between the two retreating defenders.
His pass picked out Doucouré who still had plenty to do from just inside the box but he swept a cracking shot away from the keeper and inside the near post before wheeling away to celebrate in front of the delirious away fans, with a gesture that seemed to suggest he was waiting for the Club’s call about furthering contract negotiations that would keep him at Everton beyond this summer.
The thrilling conclusion was no more than the Blues deserved for an all-round display that made a mockery of the yawning gap between the two clubs’ respective places in the division. For long periods it looked as though their deficiencies up front was going to prevent them from picking up the points that their performance merited but a deadly move in transition and an emphatic finish gave the travelling Evertonians a euphoric finalé.
Manchester City will pose an altogether different challenge but this is another impressive result, Everton's first win in seven games, to add to those engineered by Moyes. It also adds plenty of intrigue to the debate over Doucouré's future as the recruitment team continue their planning for the close season recruitment drive.
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers12/04/2025 21:05:54
As usual Lyndon good report on the game, just a shame you're not getting the reader responses you deserve.
12/04/2025 21:40:27
Great report Lyndon and a great result today thoroughly deserved and warranted by a great away performance.
On the subject of things being thoroughly deserved - Harrison and Doucoure have come in for some warranted stick over the last month or so however credit where credit is due, both were much improved today.
12/04/2025 22:15:23
Measured, calm, & almost neutral (a compliment) in its style, Lyndon has nailed it again.
I would be happy to read this piece as a substitute for MOTD.
One quibble; 'in transition' as a phrase irritates me.
It is fast becoming a cliche and I can't rid my mind of an incongruous image of gender change.
12/04/2025 22:48:55
Good report as ever Lyndon.
12/04/2025 23:18:21
A sterling performance, of which, personally, I thought Broja was the only Downside.
How satisfying to see that Sea of Red and white supporters heading for the exit, after the much aligned Doucoure, had dispatched that incisive pass, with the aplomb of a centre forward
I felt absolutely humbled by the show of gratitude shown by Ducoure and his allies at the end, to the away supporters.
I thought Harrison had his best game of the season… in my opinion.
Although, I have strongly criticised, both, Harrison and Doucore in recent weeks, I feel that I’m entitled to at least a slice of Humble Pie.. with Dijon Mustard please !
12/04/2025 23:56:07
A complete performance, our best of the season. It deserved two or three more goals but a late winner always tastes sweet especially away from home against a team in the top four.
Forest were clinging on in the last half hour. They took an age at every stoppage, seemingly content to take a point from a game in which they were made to look anything but Champions League aspirants.
It is interesting to note that we had 58% possession today, our highest percentage of possession in league games since we played Forest at home in December when we had 64%.
13/04/2025 00:29:49
The fact that Forest are third should give us great hope for next season. We showed them that they are nothing special. The best moments for me were seeing the Everton fans reveling after the home fans had left.
13/04/2025 02:08:34
From the minute Alcaraz came on I thought he was a real driving force.
We were already on top but it became wave after wave of attacks and he was at the heart of a lot of it.
If we'd had more clinical finishes in the team it would have been a far more compfortable win.
I loved how they just kept going until they got the goal. Has to be one of the best away displays of the last few seasons.
13/04/2025 02:20:41
Four points from the top three and certainly no disgrace in losing to the top side [name never to be mentioned] Moyes has certainly turned a team with no confidence and no goals into a team that few CL aspirants wish to encounter.
13/04/2025 04:01:31
The last 25 minutes we were marvelous. Before that I actually thought the game was boring, but on the road we were "doing a Moyes" and trying to play conservative football.
The big difference in the squad is getting goals, and a lack of space between the back line, the midfield, and the attacking front. We're playing with more options, and in a more "team" fashion.
There's still a ton of improvement to be had, and there's still frustration. But all of that dissipates when:
I've watched the away fans celebrate about 100 times today on replay. It's priceless.
There's hope and joy back. After many years of walking through the desert and looking into the abyss, there's real hope for the future.
I never want to go near that abyss again. Relegation is an exercise in despair, and it's awful.
Keep it up Davey.
13/04/2025 04:05:53
Another quick post... pretty silly really, but...
I love the fact Dwight McNeil wears black boots.
Screams Old School to me. Love it.
13/04/2025 05:06:42
Good report - thank you
13/04/2025 07:46:46
As usual, a quality report Lyndon. What a pleasure to see that performance. Delighted with the result and the the late goal.
It was a joy to see the travelling fans explode with happiness when Doucore netted and, at the same time, see the total shock on the Forest fans faces.
My only slight quibble is I would prefer to see Chermiti given a run out in preference to Broja
13/04/2025 08:44:21
Chris Keher 9
I totally agree about the Alcaraz comments.
although, Just as well he didn’t replace Doucoure !
It’s true that we do lack potency in attack.
I feel that Ndiaye should be moved to a more central role, as
He seems to have an awful lot of Work to do, to get himself central and is very often crowded out, by two, or three opponents.
Our Defence is growing in stature, as the season moves on and is proving to be a very reliable unit.. almost Bunkeresque!
No fears going into BMD with this back line.
When you consider our performance against the RS, the Draw against Arsenal and now this one, against a Top six team, our Form is showing up very well, in a league of Form.
The fear of meeting Top end sides has dissipated and has been replaced by positive anticipation.
For myself, atm, the games against these sides can’t come around fast enough.
the Irony of it is Blatant, compared to the Run-Ins of the last Three Seasons.
13/04/2025 09:33:18
Great review Lyndon! Enjoying looking forward to games again!
13/04/2025 10:38:59
Great report Lyndon, I'd give Doucoure a new contract just for the cheekiness of the celebration!
13/04/2025 11:32:37
Excellent match report, as always, ta Lyndon.
Next season could be very interesting, if we get our act together over the summer. This League, it seems to me, is quite wide open.
13/04/2025 19:31:07
Up to 13th now after ManU lose to the barcodes. COYB.
13/04/2025 22:05:32
Another thing That I remarked about yesterday’s game was, that, I couldn’t see Chris Woods for the Trees!
14/04/2025 03:27:43
Had to pop in Lyndon. I miss your reports (and previews). This was typical of your high standard. Cheers!
14/04/2025 09:27:05
Excellent review which we are missing so much from Toffeeweb. For my part I go back to that awful 2.0 loss to Forest at Goodison at the end of December. We did not have a shot on target and were playing awful football. Saturday was another world. I will always thank Sean Dyche for somehow keeping us up twice. I worried about the appointment of David Moyes but he has done a wonderful job and at last we can look forward to next season and our magnificent new home on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey with hope and something that we have not had for 30 years namely pride in our Club.
14/04/2025 14:35:04
Excellent report Lyndon, far, far better than other sites. I think we should play Ndiaye, Alcaraz and McNeil behind Chermiti for the rest of the season….see if he’s up to it. I’m not convinced by DCL, Broja or Beto.
15/04/2025 02:51:44
Yes, the writing is first class. I think that is the first time since school days that I have read the word 'torpor'.
The spirit of it feels more on target. It is hard to know how to feel watching Everton, with so many twists and turns this season. You can see that some have yet to get right with Dave, justifiably questioning his style and risk-taking.
Wins like this will secure goodwill that hopefully will let the players enjoy their footbal and let the fans enjoy them enjoying their football. Then of course, we can enjoy Lyndon's love of writing. See? It all worked out. UTFT!
15/04/2025 19:31:00
Your usual high calibre standard of writing and reporting Lyndon.
A very professional all round performance with the result to top it off. Always the sweetest way to win and the sourest way to lose.
We can go into the City match with belief that we can get something from it. They are a bit ropey at the back, as Palace proved, just don't capitulate and concede 5!!
16/04/2025 06:42:32
Excellent report Lyndon
I thought we did a thoroughly professional job on Forest.
An excellent win.
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12/04/2025 19:16:45
A strong finish to the season and hopefully we can add some quality in the summer and build on the new found confidence…a 20+ goal striker would be nice for starters !