EPL: Everton defeats Nottingham Forest to secure a vital victory in their relegation struggle

With a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Everton made a significant dent in their relegation opponents’ hopes after multiple penalty claims were turned down.

Idrissa Gueye gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead at Goodison Park in the first half, and Dwight McNeil secured the crucial points in the last moments.

However, Forest felt unfairly treated when three convincing penalty appeals against Ashley Young of Everton were disregarded by VAR.

Everton moved five points clear of the relegation zone with their second victory in their past 16 league outings.

There are five games remaining for the Toffees, while third-place Forest, second-place Burnley, and third-place Luton have only four remaining.

Everton is facing a nerve-wracking battle for survival for the third season running, but this was a crucial turning point in their attempt to hold onto the premier league title they have owned since 1954.

The image of Everton striker Beto seemingly knocked out following a headbutt with Morgan Gibbs-White was the only thing that worried Dyche.

After receiving extensive medical attention, Beto was carried off on a stretcher while waving to the audience to indicate he was conscious again.

Forest is just one point above the bottom three in the league after winning just one of their previous nine games as they attempt to avoid dropping back into the Championship after two years at the top.

Given the points penalties incurred by Everton and Forest this season, their meeting on Merseyside had been dubbed the “deduction derby”.

Everton were handed a 10-point punishment that was reduced to six on appeal earlier this season for financial breaches.

They are appealing against the two-point deduction imposed recently for another case of similar offences.

Forest have also been hit with a four-point deduction for financial breaches, with their appeal set to be held on Wednesday.

Dyche and Everton relief

Dyche called Monday’s 6-0 hammering at Chelsea “arguably the worst moment” of his career, but he got the response he wanted after a week of “home truths”.

To their immense frustration, Forest appealed in vain for an early penalty after Young caught Giovanni Reyna from behind.

Gueye rubbed salt into Forest’s wounds as he put Everton ahead in the 29th minute.

Forest could only clear to the Senegal midfielder, who took a touch before scuffing a low 25-yard shot that crept into the far corner past Matz Sels’ despairing dive.

It was Gueye’s first Premier League goal at Goodison Park since 2017, a barren streak that explained the mix of relief and bewilderment etched on Dyche’s face on the touchline.

Jordan Pickford preserved Everton’s lead, scrambling to make a superb save from Chris Wood’s close-range volley after Neco Williams picked out the Forest striker at the far post.

Forest fell aggrieved by another VAR decision just before half-time after Young blocked a cross with his arm but was not punished with a penalty.

Incredibly, Young was involved again when Forest had a third penalty appeal rejected after the Everton defender clipped Callum Hudson-Odoi early in the second half.

Gibbs-White screwed wide from a golden opportunity to equalise and with 14 minutes left McNeil delivered the knockout blow.

McNeil’s incisive break climaxed with the winger drilling into the bottom corner to celebrate his 200th Premier League appearance in style.