Nottingham Forest finished the year on a strong note by defeating a feeble Everton, climbing to second place in the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s soaring team is rapidly becoming the season’s highlight with impressive performances that are poised to challenge the league’s elite.
As Arsenal is inactive until Wednesday, a win at Goodison Park ensured they would end the day just one spot below leaders Liverpool, who are set to face West Ham later on Sunday (kick-off 17:15 GMT).
Forward Chris Wood contributed to both of his team’s goals, scoring a brilliant strike for his 11th league goal of a successful season, and then assisting Morgan Gibbs-White, who calmly finished in the second half.
New Zealander Wood had alerted the Everton defense with a long-range volley that went wide and a flicked header that sailed over, but he capitalized when he and Anthony Elanga exchanged headers before executing a delicate finish over the stranded Jordan Pickford.
On the opposite side, Armando Broja made his initial start for the Toffees and displayed nimble footwork at the edge of the box but fired wide, while Ramon Sosa could have increased Forest’s advantage before the break when he was released, but the Paraguayan sent his attempt to the wrong side of the goalpost.
Gibbs-White secured the points shortly after the hour, moving inside and scoring to elevate Forest as Liverpool’s nearest title contenders at the midpoint of the season.
Forest aggressive in offense and strong in defense.
Boss Nuno might not have been the unanimous selection as Steve Cooper’s successor slightly more than a year back, despite achieving success at Midlands rivals Wolves.
However, the Portuguese has done an outstanding job during his tenure at the club, bringing them up from 17th place in the standings last December to competing among the league’s top teams.
Forest has claimed victory in five consecutive matches and find themselves surprisingly positioned between Arne Slot’s team and third-placed Arsenal. While challenging for the title might be unlikely, securing a top-four spot is a feasible aim.
Forest have demonstrated they are effective leaders, taking the initiative in 15 of their 19 matches this season, and Wood’s excellent finish indicates that his scoring form is not diminishing, while England international Gibbs-White scored soon after lifting a good opportunity over.
Forest’s team foundation is established on strong defense – allowing just 19 goals in the same number of matches this season – and they are led defensively by the imposing Serbian international Nikola Milenkovic.
The visitors showed remarkable defensive strength, leaving Everton with little opportunity to attack and resulting in just two shots on target during the match—Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s weak header going right to Matz Sels in the 81st minute and Beto’s attempt being saved by the Belgium keeper in the closing moments.
Sean Dyche witnessed his team’s four-match unbeaten streak conclude, and they have secured just three victories this season, falling to 16th place and only three points clear of the relegation zone.
