A resilient defensive performance led by Tarkowski and O’Brien seals victory
The half way point of the season had arrived and Everton sat 12th before the match, but were only 3 points from 7th. Just 24 days ago, the Toffees were very strong scoring three unanswered goals when Forest visited the Hill Dickinson Stadium in early December. Forest sit in 17th place, 7 points behind Everton.
Everton made the journey to Nottingham after a very poor display in the 0-0 draw with Burnley, just 72 hours earlier. David Moyes needed a plan to get Everton in the goals after three matches without one. However, Forest were also struggling in front of goal with only one win in their previous four. Sean Dyche was hoping to get a result over his former team.
Team News
The big news was the absence of Michael Keane and Charly Alcaraz from the squad. Moyesey made three changes with Nathan Patterson and Merlin Rohl getting their first starts of the season. Thierno Barry returned to the starting line up. In the sadly lacking ‘good news’ department, Jack Grealish, had recovered from a virus to make the bench after missing the draw at Burnley.
Sean Dyche made one change to his team which lost 2-1 to Manchester City on Saturday. Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Nicolo Savona, who dropped to the bench.
Match Report
Michael Oliver got things underway with Everton wearing their home kit. A quick start from the Blues saw James Garner get the first crack at goal but his shot was high. Dibling was getting on the ball in the early going. Thierno Barry then drove forward and drew a corner. Garner delivered that which was met by Tarkowski but it was easily handled by Victor.
The travelling Evertonians were in full voice with a hearty version of “Spirit of the Blues”. Forest then got on the ball and started to turn the screw on the Everton defense. Patterson cleared a dangerous ball and Mykolenko was competing well against Omari Huthinson. Worryingly, Patterson was beaten for speed by Hudson-Odoi.
Forest were pouring forward and it took a nice block from Tarkowski to prevent a shot on the Everton goal. Some nice buildup from Everton saw McNeil thread a needle into Garner and his shot whizzed into the far post. No celebration for the former Forest midfielder but the Evertonians were celebrating their team’s first goal since the last time they played Forest.
McNeil then gave up possession which allowed Forest to put the pressure back on but Igor Jesus had a chance to level the score but his header was poor. A long clearance by Pickford fell to McNeil who had his shot blocked. Forest then delivered a lovely ball into the box which was cleared by Dibling. Barry was driving forward again but his touch was poor and the chance went begging.
Forest were forcing the play with Nico Williams delivering a string of crosses from the right side but the O’Brien, Tarkowski partnership was dominating. At the 35 minute mark, Forest had sent in 22 crosses. A foul by Iroegbunam on Anderson gave Forest a free kick on the edge of the box which Pickford palmed over the bar. Pickford then was needed to make a save on a low shot from Anderson.
Just one minute of additional time was required which quickly dissipated as Michael Oliver blew his whistle to end a great half of Everton resilience and a quality goal from Garner.
Forest came out of the blocks strongly and Everton were back under pressure right from the start. A wayward shot from the substitute Douglas Luiz was well over the bar and was the sum of their efforts before Everton got things going. Some good feet from Dibling got him out of a tight situation as Everton tried to get more of the ball. Luiz was again back trying to even the score but his shot was weak.
An absolute mess amongst the Everton back line when O’Brien tried to clear the ball but hit one of his own players which then fell to Igor Jesus but his shot went just wide. Douglas Luiz was then in the book for pulling Iroegbunam down. Dyche then took out Jesus and put on Awonyi.
“If You Know Your History” was ringing around the City Ground as the Evertonians tried to help their team. That was enough to get Rohl moving and force a turnover but the ball got away from him. Everton looked like they had weathered the storm but Forest continued to deliver crosses. Awonyi’s header from Gibbs-White went well wide.
Barry then broke down the right and then crossed to Rohl but the young German could not get past Milenkovic. The game was ebbing and flowing as the legs started to tire. Nico Williams drilled a low shot which was nicely handled by Pickford. Moyes had seen enough and Grealish was brought on for Patterson. Moyes had a chat with Rohl who took up the right back role.
A rare corner for Everton was delivered by Garner and Tarkowski should have scored but his head that had been used so well all night mistimed it and the ball went wide. Hudson-Odoi was substituted by Dilane Bakwa with 15 minutes left on the clock.
The game was getting stretch and Everton were getting more of the ball. A nice defensive play by Rohl led to another blistering shot by Garner but this one went just wide of the far post. Moments later, Garner made a brilliant turn, leaving three Forest players behind and provided a beautiful pass into the streaking Thierno Barry. The young striker patiently prepared himself and passed the ball past the Forest keeper to make it 2-0
Forest needed something and a lobbed ball by Forest was met at the back post by Gibbs-White who headed the ball but the onrushing Pickford blocked it and cleared the ball. The Evertonians in attendance thanked Dyche by singing “Sacked in the Morning”
Barry was given a great ovation when he was substituted by Beto. Forest weren’t done as Williams forced another great save. Seconds later, Bakwa drilled the ball towards the goal but it was wide and Gibbs-White could not get a toe on it as he slid in to the post. Five minutes of additional time could not change the scoreline as the Blues were serenaded by the travelling supporters. A big win which moves Everton into 8th place, tied with the Black Cats who play City tomorrow.
Everton’s Man of the Match
James Garner: Tireless work in the entire match protecting the back line ensured a clean sheet for the team. However, it was his quality in attack that changed the match. His first contribution was a sublime goal that saw him drive into the box to take the pass from McNeil and then find the corner with aplomb. His second contribution put the game out of reach for Forest. Surrounded by three red shirts, his turn left them in his wake as he lifted his head to see Barry. The pass scythed open the Forest backline and was met by Barry to score his second for the club. Get his new contract signed…….now!
Instant Reaction
After such a disappointing display 72 hours earlier against Burnley, Everton brought an inexperienced team to the City Ground. The defensive display was brilliant with Tarks and O’Brien anchoring it from start to finish. The resilience was also very impressive. They gave up possession to Forest and counter attacked with precision. This was a team victory that was based in adversity and won with heart.
Today, the threadbare squad was further depleted by the “injuries” to Michael Keane and Charly Alcaraz. Moyes was forced into playing Nathan Patterson and moving Jake O’Brien into the middle next to Tarkowski. O’Brien may not be a right back but he is a centre back and today’s showing gave us another look at the strength we have at the back. What also has to be acknowledged is both Rohl and Dibling played the full 90 minutes and this experience is so important. They were both bullied at first but grew into the game and both contributed in the important win.
Dwight McNeil is being talked about for a move to Forest. He seemed to be interested in contributing to the match in the early moments and his pass to Garner was sublime. Unfortunately, before the first half ended he had completed only 5 of 12 passes accurately and was dispossessed twice. At the start of the second half, after being dispossessed again, he threw up his arms and didn’t even run back to help. He then disappeared for the rest of the half until he was moved behind the striker. In the end, more proof that Nottingham can have him.
Category: General Sports
