Nottingham Forest moved up to second in the Premier League table – for 24 hours at least – by claiming a 2-0 win over Everton, whose attacking woes continue.
It was another spirited away performance from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who recovered well from losing key centre-back Murillo in the warm-up through injury.
Forest deservedly took a first-half lead as Chris Wood played a one-two of headers with Anthony Elanga before lofting the ball above Jordan Pickford.
That move was made by Morgan Gibbs-White, who played a glorious long ball to unlock the Everton defence for Wood to punish them. And it was the same Forest midfielder who got the second on the hour mark via an Everton mistake.
Abdoulaye Doucoure made a slack backpass which Elanga picked up on. He found Wood in the box who squared to Gibbs-White, who cut inside Doucoure and slammed the ball high into the net.
Morgan Gibbs-White fires Nottingham Forest into a 2-0 lead at Everton
There was little response throughout from Everton, who dropped Dominic Calvert-Lewin to give Armando Broja a first start of the season but failed to register a shot on target until the 80th minute at Goodison Park.
They were also lucky not to see James Tarkowski sent off in the first half when, already on a booking, he lunged in harshly on Forest striker Wood.
The latest blank means Sean Dyche’s side have failed to score in seven out of their last nine matches. While this is just their third home league defeat of the season, their form at Goodison Park is dimming as they hover just above the relegation zone.
“I was disappointed simply because our players did the opposite of what we told them, which is very frustrating for us as coaches, believe me,” said Dyche after the game.
“We analysed it and looked at the things we wanted to do and we didn’t offer anything like what we expected from us to deliver.
“Playing quickly, playing with tempo, playing forwards quickly, stretching the back four and asking as many questions by playing quickly and playing a tempo game.
“But we didn’t, we went completely the opposite, played slowly, rolled it out the back pointlessly at times. It was too method-bound and not enough questions.
“You have to get on the right signs of the margins. But it’s really frustrating without a shadow of a doubt, particularly the first half.”
Analysis: Forest are who Everton want to be
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Chris Wood celebrates after putting Nottingham Forest in front at Everton
When Everton and Nottingham Forest met in April of this year, there were just two points separating the sides.
This was once a relegation six-pointer in the Premier League, now one team is streets clear of the other. In fact, Nottingham Forest have become the team Everton want to be – and have wanted to be for some time now.
Forest are clinical in both boxes and have the squad depth to produce what Nuno wants from his team.
The difference between the two was best summed up in the 74th minute of this game, when Nuno took off Wood and Gibbs-White knowing full well the result was sealed in the same minute when Beto was brought on by Dyche as Everton tested their third different combination up front.
Forest have a manager who can effectively deal with turmoil. Nuno saw Murillo limp off during the warm-up which forced him to change formation last minute. His players still delivered, with Morato’s performance as defensive understudy epitomising this culture.
With blanks in seven out of their last nine matches, Dyche is still working out his formula on how to get results.
There is also a difference between the backing upstairs. Everton have seen years of ownership turmoil, recently ended by the Friedkin Group’s takeover, while Forest finally have stability under Evangelos Marinakis. The difference between the two clubs could not be greater.
Nuno: I changed formation after Murillo warm-up blow
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo to Sky Sports:
“In the warm-up Murillo was struggling and he was not able to play the game. We had a moment to reorganise the team but the boys did well, it was a short preparation of the idea but they showed they are committed, organised and they did very well.
“The shape was different, we wanted to start with a back three, we had prepared like it but we had to adapt with small adjustments.
“But more important than anything was the players being able to play the game and stick to their task. Because the plan was not too different, it was clear how to neutralise Everton, they are so good and they caused so many problems.
“It was about the second balls, clearing it and getting rid of the ball, because they provoke a lot of these situations. The players defended really well, created lots of chances and scored the goals.
“Our expectations of this team are the same. It doesn’t change anything. It’s the next game, work hard, commit yourself and enjoy the happy new year and come again full of energy, so we have to prepare for the next one.”
Dyche: The first half couldn’t have been worse
Everton manager Sean Dyche to Sky Sports:
“I think they did what they’ve done to many teams this season. The form they’re in, the way they counter-attack at home and away and do it very well, it’s commendable.
“They get it forward, not too much passing it around the back around their own box, which is in vogue at the minute. And we didn’t deal with it, particularly in the first half when we played slow and ineffective which suits them.
“It couldn’t have been worse than the first half compared to recent performances. We were miles off it first half, we weren’t doing anything, the game plan was about to ask questions of them to make it awkward and make the game about us.
“The second half, we changed it and there was more about us. We tried to make a difference and the effort’s there, the commitment to the cause, but you can’t give away second goals like that. It’s a ridiculous goal to give a side who have showed this season that they’re hard to beat and break down.”
