Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Nottingham Forest - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2024 Everton's Iliman Ndiaye shoots at goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
LIVERPOOL, England - High-flying Nottingham Forest secured a smash-and-grab 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday based on a speedy attack and a rock-solid defence in a game between two teams who often prefer to concede possession to opponents.
Forest's Chris Wood got the all-important first goal in the 15th minute, and that allowed the visitors to do what they, like Everton, tend to do best: sit back, soak up the pressure and then attack on the break. It proved a winning formula.
Morgan Gibbs-White added a second goal on the hour mark, but it was Wood's opener that set the tone for the game, and though Sean Dyche's men enjoyed plenty of possession, they could not breach the Forest rearguard.
"They have done that to other teams this season. We didn't deliver it anywhere near in the first half and they did," a rueful Dyche said.
"It is hard to break down a packed defence when they get their noses in front. I don't think they had too many chances ... We didn't ask enough questions overall against a team that is good at seeing a game out."
For Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, the game-plan worked perfectly as his side took their chances before shutting up shop.
"We were organised and really committed to help each other. We then exploited well the space Everton gave," the Portuguese coach told the BBC.
"It is confidence, the belief and the knowledge that, in the final third, you need composure. They scored beautiful goals."
After avoiding relegation last season, his side are now a scarcely-believable second in the table, but Forest will not be resting on their laurels as the intense Christmas schedule continues.
"It (being second) doesn't mean anything. We haven't achieved anything yet," he said.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
