Brennan Johnson scored a brace to help Nottingham Forest produce one of the close football results of the weekend in the Premier League. Goals weren’t on many people’s minds at the City Ground after both sides had struggled to score in previous weeks, but a tense first half saw Demarai Gray give Everton the lead from the spot (10) after Dwight McNeil was fouled by Jonjo Shelvey before Brennan Johnson equalized for Forest (19). Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was on the verge of leaving Everton under Frank Lampard, demonstrated his value to Sean Dyche’s side by heading them back in front, his first goal since September 2021.
With so much on the line for both teams, the second half began feistily, with tackles flying in and multiple bookings being issued, but in the end, it was Johnson who held his cool, as his exquisite finish sealed a share of the spoils and extended Forest’s unbeaten run at the City Ground to nine games. Forest manager Cooper was pleased with his team’s response, especially following their 4-0 loss to West Ham the previous Saturday. Everton is in the relegation zone, four points behind Forest, who remain in 14th place. After losing a lead late in the second half, Everton manager Sean Dyche believes his team has something to build on.
The pressure was on Everton going into the game, with Dyche’s team knowing that failure would put them seven points below Nottingham Forest. Everton started the stronger of the two sides, and they were rewarded with a penalty in the eighth minute after Jonjo Shelvey tripped Dwight McNeil. Gray converted from the spot after a protracted wait to examine a Doucoure handball in the buildup to the foul, sending Keylor Navas the wrong way. After falling down, Forest rallied brilliantly, drawing level in the 19th minute after pouring pressure on Everton. Johnson was watchful, and he pounced on a rebound after Jordan Pickford had saved Morgan Gibbs-White’s attempt.
Forest was leading and pushing for a second, but Everton reclaimed the lead against the run of play. Doucoure snuck in from close range after Michael Keane earned the opening header from a set piece. Everton were now in control, and they had chances to increase their advantage before the break, but Navas pushed over McNeil’s powerful drive, and Gray had an effort blocked at the far post as the visitors took the lead at the half. During the interval, the pressure was turned up on both sets of players as an ill-tempered affair erupted, with multiple confrontations and harsh tackles.
The many interruptions in play aided Everton, who were relieved to see the clock tick away, while Forest was irritated as they battled to gain any traction. The visitors appeared unconcerned and in command as they looked to finish out the game, but Forest equalized in the 77th minute out of nowhere. Replacement Ryan Yates got space down the right and brought it back to Johnson, who was unmarked in the area, who drove the ball into the top corner to set up a spectacular finish. He almost had a match-winning hat-trick in the last minutes, but his effort from a tight angle was just wide as the game ended all square.
“I’m really delighted with how we performed because there has been a lot of talk about this football club’s away performances, both with me and before me,” Everton boss Sean Dyche said. “I believe we had a couple of tough games away and then came here – I’m not saying it wasn’t tough because these guys have a terrific home record – we really wanted to take the game on and I believe we did. If we don’t make a mistake for their second goal and win, and we earn a penalty, which I was surprised at, I think that’s a really fantastic away performance.”
“I’m unhappy with the referee, but we’ll think about it. I believed he made a lot of bad mistakes. He will be aware of this, and he will almost certainly be required to explain his performance. It’s a shame that stuff like that had an impact on the game,” Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper said. “You want to win or lose based on what your opponent does, not on what the officials do. The lads are upset that they did not win, but they gave it their all and demonstrated courage.”
For more football results, click here
