Garner leads the way as Everton overcome Forest | OneFootball

Everton claimed an impressive away win at the City Ground as goals from James Garner and Thierno Barry condemned Nottingham Forest to a third straight defeat.

Garner opened the scoring in the 19th minute against his former club, guiding home a fine first-time finish for his first goal since August.

Despite Forest seeing plenty of the ball, the Toffees stayed organised and limited the hosts to few clear chances before the break.

Sean Dyche's side pushed hard after half-time, sending a steady stream of crosses into the box, but Everton’s defence held firm and Jordan Pickford was rarely troubled.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the counter and made it count late on when Barry finished calmly from Garner’s through-ball to seal the win.

The result lifts Everton up to eighth in the table at the halfway point of the season, while Forest remain 17th and firmly in a relegation battle.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

2':

Missed opportunity. James Garner from Everton takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails over the bar and to the left.

Everton takes the lead against Nottingham Forest, making it 1-0. James Garner scores with a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, finding the bottom left corner. The assist comes from Dwight McNeil, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.

19':

GOAL Everton: James Garner (Everton) scores!

James Garner scores goal number 2 in the competition (19 matches)

23':

Missed opportunity. Igor Jesus from Nottingham Forest attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The cross was provided by Nicolás Domínguez.

30':

Missed opportunity. Callum Hudson-Odoi from Nottingham Forest took a left-footed shot from within the six-yard box, but it went wide to the left.

50':

Missed opportunity. Douglas Luiz from Nottingham Forest takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails over the goal and to the right.

59':

Missed opportunity! Igor Jesus from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.

66':

Missed opportunity. Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.

73':

Opportunity wasted. James Garner from Everton took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left.

73':

Missed opportunity. James Tarkowski from Everton attempted a header from close range following a corner kick.

77':

Opportunity wasted! James Garner from Everton took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Jack Grealish.

Nottingham Forest 0, Everton 2. Thierno Barry scores for Everton, firing a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from James Garner, who set him up with a precise through ball during a rapid counterattack.

79':

GOAL Everton: Thierno Barry (Everton) scores!

Thierno Barry scores goal number 2 in the competition (19 matches)

87':

Missed opportunity! Dilane Bakwa from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went just wide. The assist came from Oleksandr Zinchenko.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match