The City Ground was packed to the rafters despite the almost Arctic conditions, and it was the away end who had the most to shout about during the opening encounters.
Having emerged victorious in three of their previous four away games, the Toffees snuffed out any early danger and had chances themselves. Beto missed the opportunity to net his first PL goal since signing from Udinese after he blazed over following a dropped cross by Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Unfortunately for Everton, that was the scare Forest needed to kickstart their attacking game, and Anthony Elanga soon had the home support off their feet as he fired just wide of the far post after it fell kindly for him in the area.
The opening goal threatened, and Everton couldn’t have gone any closer towards the end of the first half, with Abdoulaye Doucouré turning to play through McNeil, but his attempt was cleared off the line by Murillo and via the woodwork on its way out.
With Forest’s eight-point gap to the bottom three reduced to six following Burnley’s 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United earlier in the day, there was extra motivation for them after half-time, and it wasn’t long before Felipe hit the post himself after some goalmouth mayhem.
Everton’s points deduction didn’t give them that kind of breathing space from the drop zone, and they rallied to get the opener to move them off the foot of the table. Jack Harrison excellently recycled an attack to loop his cross over to McNeil, who arrowed a fierce strike into the far top corner.
Having banked on keeping their opponents out for the duration, there was desperation about the home side’s play as they frantically searched for a leveller. Jordan Pickford had to be on top of his game to deny both Elanga and Murillo, but time ran out with Everton taking a vital three points.
Sean Dyche’s side continue to bounce back with another win to move just two points from safety, while just one win in 10 PL matches makes worse reading for Forest, with the pressure beginning to build on Steve Cooper with a trip to Fulham coming up in midweek.
Flashscore Man of the Match: James Garner (Everton)
