Depleted Blues dig deep for a fantastic result at the City Ground

Nottingham Forest 0 - 2 Everton

Barely 2 days after their last game, a massively depleted Everton squad pulled off a famous win at the City Ground tonight in the final Premier League game of the year, and its completion will conveniently mark the half-way point of the season, up to 8th place in the table.

It's another opportunity for the current Everton manager to test his wits against the previous Everton manager, with Sean Dyche going into this game a few places below Everton in the table, and a few home losses to make amends for.

If we thought the available squad had been pared down to the bare bones... well, three changes for Everton, with Merlin Röhl, Nathan Patterson and Thierno Barry all starting; Michael Keane and Charly Alcaraz are both out with injuries, Dewsbury-Hall, Branthwaite and Coleman are still out injured; Ndiaye and Gueye are at Afcon.

Jack Grealish is on the bench, even though he is still ill, along with two goalkeepers and four Under-21s.

First Half

The Blues, all in blue, kicked off, Tarkowski doing the first punt upfield. Dibling worked well and Garner had the first shot, well over the bar. Dibling got the ball into the grinder again but it was cleared.

Igor Jesus looked to get past O'Brien but was called for handball when he chested it down. Dibling again danced around a few Forest players, but Everton not retain the ball.

Barry cleverly won the first corner, Garner playing it short, then crossing for Tarkowski but no power in his header to Victor. Forest got forward for a spell, the final cross picked out by Pickford.

Barry was called for what looked like a good challenge, where he won the ball. But then he easily lost a ball that looked his and Everton were penned back.

Williams put in a great cross that Tarkowski headed wide, then Hudson-Odoi tried a shot that was blocked. Forest won a free-kick and Forest kept probing but Gibbs-White could not cross the ball before it had gone behind the byeline.

McNeil put in a cross that flew over Dibling with Barry well out of position. Barry did some excellent work to keep the ball from Murillo and the play developed for McNeil to put in a difficult set-up for James Garner but he took it perfectly, without even looking up. Great angled strike for the finish: 0 - 1.

Everton looked to build another great move from the restart but McNeil was unlucky his dribble crossed the sideline. Forest attacked but the clearance saw McNeil give the ball away, however --- shot well wide. Hutchinson was next but his shot lost any power on its way through to Pickford.

Barry nodded a punt down for McNeil and Mykolenko's shot was blocked. Forest resumed their attack but it was repelled and Everton came forward but Barry lost the ball so easily, it was criminal.

Forest were quick on the transition but Tarkowski and O'Brien were strong in Everton's defence. A good ball came over for Hudson-Udoi ghosting past Patterson at the far post but he messed up any shot.

Forest mounted another prolonged passing attack but Everton were defending solidly and in numbers. Everton tried to break out would lose the ball and have to fall back. An Igor Jesus header won a corner but Pickford caught it. More Forest crosses, more Everton defensive clearing headers, Mykolenko doing very well to clear one from Hudson-Udoi.

Tarkowski was expertly positioned to deny Igor Jesus. The ref was a real homer, giving soft fouls for Forest but nothing when Everton players were fouled. Zinchenko could not get one decent free-kick past Pickford.

A very effective half for Everton under the circumstances: Pinch a goal then keep it tight.

Second Half

Forest resumed the siege of the Everton penalty area, good pressure from an early corner, much strategic blocking required from the All-Blues. Douglas Luiz sliced his banana shot well wide.

After 5 minutes, Everton did push back briefly but the pressure returned with another corner, headed clear. Hutchinson was sharp to win another corner and it seemed more dangerous but Douglas Luiz could only shoot through to Pickford.

Another Forest corner, another decent cross headed clear. The pattern of the game was locked and loaded. Gibbs-White slyly shoved Tarkowski into Pickford as he leapt to punch away a ball; naughty.

Rohl battled hard for a ball but it did not bounce for him to get in a shot. A great cross from Williams was headed well wide by Gibbs-White.

A great break for Barry saw him play in Rohl but the German messed it up and the relentless Forest barrage of crosses and shots resumed. Rohl and Iroegbunam relieved the press with another break but it all fell apart too easily.

Forest quickly resumed. and Pickford needed to gather the ball with confidence. Grealish replaced Patterson, Garner winning a corner. Second effort was right onto Tarkowski's head but he didn't get enough on it, glancing it inches wide, a fantastic chance.

It got a bit more frenetic and end-to-end after Grealish came on, but the composure wasn't there as Garner drove a shot across goal and wide.

Then just a wonderful move by Everton, a great break, Barry playing a wonderful pass to Garner who looked up and played a perfect pass for the gangly centre-forward, and a brilliant finish by Barry -- easily as good as Clavert-Lewin!

A remarkable moment after a Forest free-kick, Pickford chesting away a Gibbs-White goal-bound header at close quarters.

Willimas then lashed a shot for Pickford to parry. Bakwa then played a just exquisite low ball to the far post but Gibbs-White coming in could not finish it.

Nottingham Forest: John Victor; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Zinchenko; Domínguez (46' Douglas Luiz [Y:61']), Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, (75' Bakwa); Igor Jesus (62' Awoniyi).

Subs: Sels, Morato, Kalimuendo, McAtee, Savona, Abbott.

Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Patterson (72' Grealish), Garner, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Röhl, Dibling, Barry (85' Beto).

For Evertonians not at the City Ground, the game is live on Sky Sports Cricket from 18:30 GMT

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Stephen Meighan 3 Posted 30/12/2025 at 18:48:14

Gonna be a hard ask to get anything tonight with that side out and mainly youngsters on the bench. We might as well give it a go.

Strange one about Grealish only being on the bench... Here's hoping.

Tony Abrahams 4 Posted 30/12/2025 at 18:49:28

Backs to the wall tonight, boys, so hopefully we can dig in, weather the expected early storm, and then come out the other side unscathed.

I'd be telling lies if I said I wasn't worried about tonight's game because it takes me back to those pre-season games when we were seriously undermanned. If it was anyone else but Everton, I'd be running around the bookies to have a good few quid on Forest tonight.

Hopefully Everton stop a few professional gamblers winning a few quid tonight.

Dale Self 7 Posted 30/12/2025 at 19:18:42

Fuck the doom.

Get three, the ugly way.

Mark Murphy 9 Posted 30/12/2025 at 19:26:11

Well, Tony, as you're an advocate for squad rotation and players given their chance, we shall see if players like Patterson, Rohl and Dibling grasp the nettle. I'm hoping they'll have points to prove and that Jake will make a big shout to play in his preferred position.

Barry will hopefully be stung after being dropped last time out and we'll have Jack to come on and change things if needed.I'm chilled, even positive.COYB

Sean Kearns 12 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:09:03

Our lord and savior Thierno Barry!!

Merle Urquart 13 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:27:31

Where did that come from? Back four tremendous, Garner excelled -- probably his best game for us.

Forest huffed and puffed and never stopped trying, to be fair, but Pickford never made many saves.

As for Barry's goal, when Garner put it on a plate, my arse never even left the couch... until it went in, of course.

Get in, Blues -- the most frustrating and unpredictable team in the Premier League.

Jimmy Carr 15 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:29:37

2-0 as predicted. Only thing was Barry only got one rather than two.

Solid team performance, gritty and organised. Grealish made a difference when he arrived, Patterson decent at right back, Dibling and McNeill put shifts in, Garner was our best midfielder.

Moyes had us soaking up the pressure then suckered them in the second half, you could see it coming. Europe is still a possibility.

COYB.

17 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:32:11

Resolute. Gritty. Not always pretty but fairly clinical tonight.

Tarkowski should have made it 2 before Barry killed the game. I'd have loved a draw tonight but that win is massive. Moyes deserves a lot of credit for such a battling performance.

I thought Garner and Tim were great as were O'Brien, Tarkowski and Pickford. Dibling showed some nice touches and the goal should do Barry some good.

Enjoy your night, Blues.

Ian Bennett 19 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:33:38

A very welcome 3 points from a depleted squad.

Neil Rogers 20 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:35:25

Outstanding result considering we had 7 players out.

Garner was world class -- what a player. Tarkowski unbelieveable... We can dream of Europe.

Flabbergasted at those who thought Patterson played well, he was easily beaten on every Forest attack and out of place.

Saying that, I'm made up!

Dave Abrahams 22 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:41:53

Put praise on the team and the manager for getting that result tonight! Have a blow and then heap more praise on them, they all ran their socks off and kept going from the first to last minute.

It might be wrong to pick one player after that brilliant team performance but I think we'd all pick the same player.

Thanks to every one of them for that result which surprised most of us and gave us another 3 very welcome points.

Paul Kossoff 23 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:41:58

A great win for the Bues.

A win on Sunday vs Brentford will make a nice New Year's start. A freylekhn nay yor!

Ged Simpson 24 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:42:35

Look at stats on shots etc blah blah blah.

Key is, we won 0-2. Stats suggest it would be otherwise.

Seen good teams do that often. To me, a sign of team spirit often as much as massive skill.

For that I congratulate the management team... especially after Burnley.

Well done.

And Jack? Home now!

Simon Dalzell 25 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:46:44

Tremendous result considering so many missing. Great to see Rohl and dibbling play a full game. Will do them the world of good. Patterson too. Tim gaining in confidence. Barry s confidence boosted. The whole team were excellent.

Duncan McDine 26 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:47:44

Always fantastic to get a win away from home, no matter who its against. But that was a truly horrid performance in the main by the front 4. Thankfully Garner (who is becoming a real quality player) made the difference and the defence held out. Forest are a dreadful team this year - getting into Europe has ruined them! We will take the 3 points, but the quicker we get Jack, KDH and Ndiaye back, the better. Oh and a centre forward would be nice too. I'm happy for Barry to get another goal, but he was awful again.

Raymond Fox 27 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:47:57

They never cease to suprise you this squad, nilled another team again,

our defence has been something else this season.

Back up to 8th again but probably only till Thursday, the table is very tight.

Well done the players and the manager, thats a good tonic for the new year.

Ged Simpson 28 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:48:20

Once this would be filled with so many after-win posts.

Now?

Some of us elderly die-hards as those below 60 bet their futures on the pointless links here.

So to us over 60...

Yeaaaaaaaah!

Ian Bennett 29 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:49:23

Get Garner signed to a new deal.

Rohl looked better at right back.

Tim Iroegbunam improving.

Solid game from O'Brien.

Dyche sacked in the next 5 games?

Martin Berry 30 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:49:33

All the naysayers and moaners before the game, where are you now?Everton's defense was immense, O'Brien especially was standout. Dibling put in his best performance in an Everton shirt yet, Barry took his goal superbly, but James Garner was sensational, what a player, what a bargain.

Twice he has come up against England players Gibbs-White and Anderson and twice has outshone them. An England call-up beckons, he is just too good at everything not to make the squad.

Finally, well done, David Moyes, getting a result with his shoestring heroes tonight.

Ged Simpson 31 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:50:49

Agree last para Martin

Andrew Clare 32 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:52:02

An excellent result and a well-taken goal from Barry.

I had my doubts but Moyes has proved me wrong again.

Great to see us at the right end of the table. Well done, Blues.

Kevin Molloy 33 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:52:15

Forest surprised me, they are starting to ask a few questions... like 'How many points do we need to avoid relegation'.

Dave Bowen 34 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:52:34

Neil @ # 20. A bit harsh about Patterson. He's hardly played any football this season. I thought he did a good job on Hudson-Odoi for 60-65 minutes.

He was understandably blowing out of his arse by the time he was substituted. If he can stay fit, he'll offer far more than Jake on the overlap from right-back.

Christy Ring 35 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:52:52

When is Garner signing a new contract?

Great game tonight and brilliant result.

Brent Stephens 36 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:53:18

Watching Patterson in the first part of the first half filled me with dread. I think after that we provided good cover for him.

Such a weak starting XI -- such a strong performance. Ecstatic.

Darren Hind 37 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:54:32

Made up for Garner. even more made up for Barry.

I thought Jake O'Brien was immense, but what can you say about Tarkowski tonight? He's been ropey for some time now, but he was a colossus tonight, How many times did he head it away? Fuck me he loves a backs-to-the-wall battle... Nearly as much as Moyes likes being down to the bare iron.

Good to be blue tonight.

Kieran Kinsella 38 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:54:44

14 points above the drop zone. Is it safe now to stop looking over our shoulder? It's just become such a habit in recent years to check the bottom of the table first.

Typical Moyes result really reminiscent of his first stint here. Making the best of what he has. Gritty, determined, built on a solid back line.

Tony Abrahams 39 Posted 30/12/2025 at 21:56:11

Arguably our best result of the season, so far.

I said I was worried but we looked a much more balanced team, simply because of a player who many have derided and said is shite.

Football is a squad game nowadays and all the best teams have balance, so it was nice to see Everton using their squad players (even if it was out of necessity) to get such a great result tonight whilst playing with a lot more balance.

Garner has been exceptional for a while now, but will get a lot more praise because of his contribution towards both goals.

Iroegbunam, playing alongside him, also gave us a lot of much-needed physical strength. Dibling looks like he his strolling but keeps hold of the ball tremendously well, and McNeil plus Röhl also played their part.

Patterson got skinned a couple of times but the boy is not scared of the ball when it's at his feet. Mykolenko defended very well on the other side.

As well as Michael Keane has done this season, I thought that was as strong as we have looked in the middle of our defence all season.

Barry had a game with a little bit of everything, did some stupid stuff and also some very good stuff. He's got a long way to go but, hard work will always get you rewards in the end, so up the fucking toffees!!

For those wanting to praise the manager, I couldn't believe that he left Aznou stripped on the sidelines for over 5 minutes in the freezing cold and still never put him on, because if David can utilise his full squad, we suddenly realise it's not as bad as we think it is.

Enjoy the night everyone, especially those people who travelled to Nottingham and will be partying all the way home.

David West 41 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:00:43

Proper away win that !!!

Jimmy Garner was brilliant, again.

2 decent chances... 2 goals !!

90mins for Dibbling, rohl & Tim who I thought has done well recently.

O'brien & tarks immense,

Barry gave his all, and got his reward.

They are not a good side, but with that depleted side you couldn't ask for more!

Are Senegal out yet ??????🙏

Dale Self 42 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:01:12

Fuckin A, Fuckin 8th!

Mark Williams 43 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:06:29

David West - Totally agree re Tim, he's definitely not the greatest footballer but has done a fine job in recent games ✋

Mal van Schaick 44 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:09:22

Garner immense. Defence fantastic. Tim played really well. That performance and result surprised me. Great effort and the away fans brilliant once again.

Derek Thomas 45 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:13:42

More fuel to the theory that the less choice Moyes has - the more concentrate is his mind?

Dyche on the other hand seems to have made Forest worse.

Garner runs away with the MotM, but there were a few players who gave him a run for his money.

Tim Iroegbunam went about his business in a more subdued fashion, but that was more to do with Garner being everywhere - ably supported by Rohl, McNeil & Dibling, all of who will be better for more minutes under the belt - as will Patterson.

Maybe Grealish's 'virus' has mutated? because throughout the game, there seemed to be an out break of triangles being played - who knew, I though that had been eradicated from Finch Farm.

Smiles all around.

David West 46 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:16:40

Mark w. Think Tim has settled, knowing he's got a run in the team Due to afcon.

Proving can be real asset this season.

Let's hope Dibbling can improve a bit now with a run in the side.

When I watch him, I'm screaming at him to run, show more urgency, will he end up central? He's definitely got ability, touches of class and skill are there, just needs s rocket up his arse !

He reminds me a bit of le tissier, who didn't turn out a bad player !

Rob Dolby 47 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:27:07

Proper smash and grab.

The lack of quality and reluctance to get in early crosses cost Forrest.

I thought Garner looked the best player on the pitch. Tuchel must be close to calling him up. Twice in a month he has bossed a midfield of Anderson and Gibbs white.

All 11 put in a great shift. Dibling and Mcneil should keep the shirt for the next game, With maybe Grealish in for Rohl.

Made up for the following fans. Moyes needs to get that contract sorted for Garner before his head gets turned.

Dave Abrahams 48 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:30:18

David (41), No they won 3-0 to top their group. nNdaiye only played the first half, hope he’s not injured.

Tony Abrahams 49 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:33:26

I don’t think Garner’s head has been turned Rob, but I’m sure his form is helping his agent, who will I’m sure will be getting plenty of clubs asking about his client!

Dave Abrahams 50 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:35:14

On another Everton website James Garner was voted MOTM with 414 votes — Tim came second with 16! And there’s more votes to come!

Mick O\'Malley 51 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:49:36

Dave Bowen @34 spot on, the lad has hardly played for 18 months and was up against a tricky speedy winger in Hudson Odoi, I thought he done well, plus he had Dibling in front of him and it's the first time they have played together so it was bound to be a bit ropey, but he done well, I'd keep him in there and keep OBrien at centre half, I'm absolutely buzzing for Barry, good pass out to Garner got the return and finished it off, Beth would have give the ball away, Barry is far better than Beto in every aspect, good team performance where the whole team played their part, UTFT!!

Annika Herbert 52 Posted 30/12/2025 at 22:58:08

Credit where it's due, that was a magnificent team performance! Especially given the fact so many first choice players were missing.

I am not a Moyes fan but he deserves credit for getting that performance out of a much depleted squad.

All eleven that started fully deserve another run out in our next game. Happy New Year to all Blues, wherever you may be in the world.