Everton takes away concerns with victory over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest

Everton eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 win over rivals Nottingham Forest, who once again had reason to feel aggrieved by refereeing decisions that went against them.

A rare goal from Idrissa Gueye was followed by a similar long-range strike from Dwight McNeil in his 200th Premier League appearance, securing a second straight home win – after Monday’s 6-0 debacle at Chelsea – and Sean Dyche’s side five points ahead. of the bottom three.

But Toffees defender Ashley Young led a charmed life after appearing somewhat lucky to escape three penalty claims against him, all of which the visitors said were more than justified.

Both clubs have had reason to rail against the Premier League this season, with the home team deducted eight points for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules, although they are appealing the last two points.

Forest, whose appeal against the four they removed will be heard next week, are so incensed by some of the referees acting against them that they have appointed former referee Mark Clattenburg as a consultant analyst.

He is likely to be overworked again after Young’s tackles on Gio Reyna and Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose shot also hit the defender’s arm, were all waved on by referee Anthony Taylor, with VAR offering no reason to overturn the decision to leave to make. one point above the relegation zone.

Dyche made four changes following the embarrassment at Stamford Bridge, but it was not the only change as the manager abandoned his usual matchday uniform of a black raincoat and black suit as training gear.

But if he hoped to convey the aura of a man confident in his game plan — after saying Friday that he told the players he wouldn’t allow them to fire him — it was nearly half an hour not clear. .

Former Liverpool defender Neco Williams had an early shot parried by Jordan Pickford; Everton’s first attempt on target – Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s weak header – didn’t come until the 27th minute.

However, their next attempt proved much more valuable. Gueye had previously scored one Premier League goal from 99 attempts from outside the area, so it was perhaps unsurprising that Forest’s defense were content to distance the midfielder when he carried the ball forward earlier, thinking that Everton had more dangerous players in possession.

But that tactic was misplaced on this occasion as Gueye controlled Ola Aina’s poor header and found the gap low between Matz Sels’ right hand and the far post from just outside the penalty area.

It was only the Senegalese international’s fifth goal in 187 league appearances across two spells for the club and his first in the league at Goodison since February 2017.

His only other goal this season was a late winner in the 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in mid-November.

Pickford’s brilliant save from Chris Wood’s shot – five minutes before the break – ensured the lead was preserved, as did VAR’s insistence. Young’s arm was in a natural position due to Hudson-Odoi’s volley.

Calvert-Lewin squandered the chance to give Everton some breathing space early in the second half when he shot wide after James Tarkowski’s knockdown, before Young again tested the referees’ judgment when he went into the back of Hudson-Odoi .

Forest were still dictating the game when Morgan Gibbs-White guided a shot over Pickford, but it went wide and that miss proved costly when McNeil, like Gueye in the first half, squeezed a low shot between Sels’ outstretched arm and the post, leaving the ball went in. outside the inside of the upright.

Striker Beto, replacing Calvert-Lewin, left late on a stretcher after a clash of heads, but even 17 minutes of added time were not enough for a toothless Forest to stage a comeback.