Nottingham Forest extended their winning streak to five consecutive Premier League matches with a superb 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, finishing 2024 on a wonderful high.
Everton may have dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes with 58%, a rare feat given their league-low average of 38.2% in the 17 prior games, but their ongoing inability to find the net persisted, allowing Forest to break the deadlock through Chris Wood's cheeky chip over Jordan Pickford for his 11th goal of the campaign, meaning the visitors held the lead at the break.
After a cagey start to the second half, Wood turned from scorer to provider, setting up Morgan Gibbs-White for an immensely skillful goal to double the lead, and while Everton dominated possession with 69% in the second 45 minutes, they were unable to break through Forest's determined defense, with the visitors holding firm to secure a 2-0 win.
The result leaves Nottingham Forest sitting second in the table with 37 points from 19 matches, though teams around them are still to play, while Everton are 16th in the standings with 17 points from 18 fixtures, leaving the Toffees just three above the drop zone.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
It was far from a typical performance for Everton, who dominated possession with 63%, a rare feat given their average of just 38.2% heading into the game, but it was more of the same with their wastefulness in front of goal.
Only one team has scored fewer than their 15 league goals this term, Southampton with 12, and today's performance sums up exactly why, with Everton taking 13 shots but failing to register a single big chance.
Admittedly, Forest's impressive defensive record also played a part, with the visitors now having kept clean sheets in each of their last three outings, a streak that has helped them to win all of their last five matches.
The result leaves them second in the league, albeit with teams around them still to play, and if they are able to keep up this standard of performance for the remainder of the campaign, then there is no reason why Forest could not make a sensational return to the Champions League next year.
EVERTON VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
15th min: Everton 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Chris Wood)
© Imago
That is superb from Wood, Forest have the lead!
Gibbs-White picks the ball up just inside his own half and quickly looks to play a long ball towards Wood, but his fall forces the striker to head into the path of Anthony Elanga.
Elanga manages to head the ball back to Wood, now inside the penalty area, and the striker cheekily lobs the ball over Pickford and into the back of the net.
61st min: Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest (Morgan Gibbs-White)
© Imago
That is sensational from Gibbs-White to double Forest's lead!
Everton fail to clear their lines after cutting out the initial attempted long-ball forward from Forest, with Elanga stealing the ball just outside Everton's box and playing it to Wood.
Wood controls the ball and plays it into Gibbs-White inside the box, where the midfielder brilliantly chops onto his left foot, taking Abdoulaye Doucoure out of the game, and sweeps it into the net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE
© Imago
Gibbs-White's spectacular form over the past few weeks continued once again with a man of the match performance in this one, including a wonderfully well-taken goal to double Forest's lead in the second 45 minutes.
The attacking midfielder was unlucky to not add an assist to his tally as he made one key pass and created one big chance, highlighting his fantastic creative ability and influence on this side.
Wood must also be given credit, continuing his remarkable goalscoring record since Nuno Espirito Santo's arrival with his 11th of the campaign, while also registering the assist for Gibbs-White's goal.
EVERTON VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Everton 64%-36% Nottingham Forest
Shots: Everton 13-11 Nottingham Forest
Shots on target: Everton 2-7 Nottingham Forest
Corners: Everton 5-4 Nottingham Forest
Fouls: Everton 13-9 Nottingham Forest
BEST STATS
Players to score 25+ Premier League goals since the start of last season:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 29, 2024
◎ Erling Haaland
◎ Mo Salah
◎ Cole Palmer
◎ Alexander Isak
◎ Ollie Watkins
◎ Dominic Solanke
◉ Chris Wood 🆕
He extends his record as Forest's all-time leading goalscorer in the PL. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qTHXmpOtoc
WHAT NEXT?
Everton will now shift their focus to a challenging start to the new year, as they are set to face Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion in their next four Premier League fixtures.
As for Nottingham Forest, they will look to continue their remarkable push for a place in the top four when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening match of 2025.
Ellis Stevens
