Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest: Match Recap & Instant Reaction | A disappointing display

12/29/2024 01:21 PM

The Toffees close out 2024 with their six-game unbeaten streak at Goodison ended

Everton vs Forest was the first league match at Goodison Park in 1892 and the two sides were looking to keep their good runs going. Heading into the match, Everton had lost just one of the past nine Premier League meetings. They had kept a clean sheet in all eight of their Premier League wins in this fixture. Their record when conceding at least once against Forest was four draws and two losses. Forest had kept just one clean sheet in the last 16 league encounters with Everton. Ominously it was a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park in January 1999.

Team News

There were two changes for the Mighty Blues of Goodison.Armando Broja made his first start for Everton as Dominic Calvert-Lewin dropped to the bench. Ashley Young made an immediate return with Seamus Coleman missing out. Dwight McNeil, described as "touch and go" for the game by Sean Dyche, missed out once again as he continues to deal with a knee injury.

Forest also made two changes from the side that beat Tottenham 1-0 last time out. Morato and Nicolas Dominguez came into the side with Ryan Yates and Callum Hudson-Odoi making way. In the warmup, Murillo was withdrawn for the visitors after picking up a knock. Ramon Sosa replaced him.

Match Recap

Tony Harrington was the man in the middle as the match kicked off under the grey skies of L4. The early exchanges were somewhat frantic as the teams tried to gain the upper hand. It was Iliman Ndiaye who made a lovely turn with his back to goal but his shot went into the Park End.

James Tarkowski received a very early yellow card for a challenge on Ramon Sosa. It was strong but not a yellow. Seconds later, Ndiaye was pulled from behind and nothing was given by Harrington. The Goodison crowd voiced their disdain.

Chris Wood took the first shot for Forest from 25 yards but the in form striker was nowhere near the goal. Incredibly, a marauding James Tarkowski ended up dribbling into the box and the one two with Broja did not work.

After some end to end action, Chris Wood was at it again when a long ball split open the Everton defense and a neat one two with Elanga saw the big striker lob the ball over the onrushing Pickford. How would Everton react to going one down.

A sloppy mistake from Aina gave Everton a corner and the delivery by Young was met by Branthwaite but it had hit his shoulder and went well over. The travelling Forest fans were in full voice as they were sitting second in the Premier League as it stood.

Some nice buildup from Everton saw Mykolenko cross the ball and a glancing header from Broja went just over the bar. Branthwaite was then driving forward and he was pushed to the ground but the referee saw nothing untoward much to the chagrin of the Everton faithful.

A promising attack from Everton was thrown away when Mykolenko overhit his cross with four blue shirts waiting for some better service. A nice move by Broja saw him cut across the box but his shot was well wide of the post.

As two minutes of extra time was announced another scything pass from Gibbs White put Sosa in the clear. He was at full stretch and his poked shot went narrowly wide. Broja was on the ground after falling awkwardly but he was given 15 minutes to recover as the referee ended the half. The Goodison crowd voiced their displeasure at the man in black as he headed off for a cup of tea.

Jesper Lindstrøm was brought on for Jack Harrison at the start of the second half. The teams were trying to get control of the midfield and another questionable yellow card was given to Gueye when he 'pulled down' Elanga. Seconds later, VAR was called into play for a possible hand ball by Branthwaite but no call was the right call.

Everton were much more purposeful in the early minutes and were playing with a bit more tempo. The Goodison crowd was appreciating the work. The boos rang around Goodison as Branthwaite was given a yellow card for a challenge on Gibbs White.

Some nice work in the buildup gave Lindstrøm a shooting chance but the shot was wide of the post. A huge mixup at the back saw Tarkowski not react quickly enough and Gibbs White made a nice touch to sit Doucoure on his backside to allow him to pass the ball into the net.

It was almost three but for some great goalkeeping by Pickford. His frustration then earned him a yellow card for booting the ball into the corner of the stadium. Everton were readying Calvert Lewin and Patterson and they came on for Gueye and Young. Forest brought on Boly in place of Sosa to solidify the back.

Boly had not even kicked the ball before he was given a yellow for time wasting. With twenty minutes to go, Everton were throwing everything forward. Patterson and Lindstrøm were sending crosses into the box but the final touch was not there. It was a ball from Patterson that was met by Mangala but his touch went just wide of the post. Broja was then taken off for Beto as Forest took off their goal scorers Wood and Gibbs White for Silva and Awoniyi.

Another great ball from Patterson was defended well and cleared from danger by Boly. Ndiaye then snatched at a header from Calvert-Lewin and his shot went well wide. The chances were increasing for Everton when Calvert-Lewin headed softly into the hands of Sels.

Williams and Anderson were withdrawn with Taffolo and Ward-Prowse coming on for Forest. Another Lindstrøm cross was met by Calvert-Lewin but again the header was wide. It was then Beto who forced a smart save from Sels. The game was in extra time when a quick counter attack forced a brilliant save and then an even better follow up save.

The Goodison crowd was not sticking around as the final minutes ticked away. Nothing was working and Forest strolled over to their supporters after the whistle was blown to accept their plaudits.

Everton MOTM - Orel Mangala - Some days it is difficult to see the positives in a disappointing result. No one stood out as we could not create anything in the first half. Mangala had a solid game in the middle of the park and was willing to move the ball forward. His link up play with the forwards was there but they could not do anything. It should be said that the arrival of Lindstrøm and Patterson improved our attack down the right side with far more crosses being sent into the box.

Instant Reaction

Nottingham Forest end the game in second place in the Premier League. They have the third best defensive record and have quality finishers in Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White. Just because they struggled last year did not mean this was going to be three points for the home side. Forest are flying at the moment and the three points went to the team that were much better where it matters the most.

The big call for Dyche was the decision to drop Calvert-Lewin. It did not come as a complete surprise. Calvert-Lewin had not scored since September although he has been isolated as Dyche prioritised defence over attack. He was also unfortunate not to be credited with at least one of Craig Dawson's two own goals against Wolves. Today, Broja started and was less isolated but did not have the quality of crosses into him that is needed in this division. Our attack lacked quality in the final third and Broja needs to be given another chance to improve his sharpness.

Jack Harrison has been Dyche's pick on the right side when he has been available this season. His recent games have seen him working hard defensively but the few chances that he has had to contribute offensively have been offensive. Harrison has failed to register a goal or an assist in 16 Premier League outings after today. His miss against Chelsea in the dying moments should have secured the victory. Today, Harrison continued to struggle and I was pleased to see Lindstrøm brought on. He may not have the tracking work of Harrison but he can contribute far more going forward and is very effective on free kicks and corners.