The Blues Move 5 Points Clear Of Relegation!
- Spirit of The News
- Apr 21, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24, 2024
Everton’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest means they go 5 points clear of the drop zone, giving all Evertonians hope of Premier League football next season.
Nottingham Forest were welcomed with a fiery Goodison Park, with multiple flags and banners displaying the support towards the Toffees, attempting to be the 12th man to grab all 3 points.
Gwladys Street minutes before kickoff
In the first minutes of the game, Nottingham Forest were dominating the Blues, with them almost scoring early on, which could have possibly changed the whole complexion of the game. Luckily for Everton, though, Forest weren’t able to turn their early chances into goals, and the game eased down.
Moving onto the 29th minute of the game, Idrissa Gana Gueye picked up the ball on the edge of the box. In the past, it has been apparent that shooting from this position is not one of his strong points. However, today, in unison, Evertonians supported Gueye to have a go, and he did. A sweet strike into the bottom left corner, with Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels having only seen the ball in the last moments before it went into the net due to the large number of bodies in the way.
This was the last memorable event of the first half.
Idrissa Gana Gueye Stats This Season:
Goals: 2
Shots: 21
Shots on Target: 4
Clean Sheets: 3
Interceptions: 22
Recoveries: 133
The second half began and 8 minutes in Nottingham Forest made a substitution:
Giovanni Reyna
OFF
Anthony Elanga
ON
This would have been thought to be a huge threat for Everton, with Anthony Elanga being known for his speed. Even though Elanga would be up against 38-year-old Ashley Young, it seemed that Young didn’t give Elanga a chance to thrive, which shows a solid performance by the fullback.
In the 67th minute, Sean Dyche decided it would be a good time to bring on two fresh legs:
Calvert-Lewin, Andre Gomes OFF
Beto, James Garner
ON
In the 76th minute, Dwight McNeil found himself in a similar position as Gana Gueye did in the first half. Edge of the box and an opportunity to have a strike at goal. With one of Gueye’s weaknesses being McNeil’s strengths, which are shots on the edge of the box, there is no surprise why McNeil decided to shoot. A left-footed shot, hitting the inside of the right post and ending up in the back of the net. 2-0 Everton!
Dwight McNeil Stats This Season:
Goals: 3
Assists: 5
Shots: 49
Shots on target: 14
There would be 9 minutes of additional time, but in the 3rd of that, both Beto and Forest player Morgan Gibbs White went up for a free ball in the air until both of them clashed heads. It seemed Beto got the worst side of it. Both Dwight McNeil and Mykolenko were seen with their heads in their hands, showing the seriousness of the injury.
After 6 minutes of Beto not moving on the floor, with multiple pyhsios and medics assisting the Portuguese striker, he was finally transferred onto a stretcher and pictured waving to the Sir Phillip Carter Park End, symbolising he was awake and aware. A statement was made by the club after the game about the situation:
Everton Statement Regarding Beto’s Injury:
We can confirm that Beto was knocked unconscious and has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
Bottom of Premier League Table:
16 Everton 30
17 Nottingham Forest 26
18 Luton 25
19 Burnley 23
20 Sheffield United 16
Along with the club statement by Everton, it seems Nottingham Forest were exactly pleased with the game either. As it seems they are blaming Stuart Attwell on the VAR, due to him being a Luton supporter.
Nottingham Forest Club Statement:
Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept.
We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
NFFC will now consider its options.
In Sean Dyche’s post match interview, he revealed that is very pleased with the squad today.
"We have just taken an important step forward but there is still work to be done.”
Dyche is entirely correct, Everton aren’t yet safe and there is still a possibility of relegation lingering.
Everton’s Remaining Fixtures:
Liverpool (a) -Wed 24 April @ 20:00
Brentford (h) - Sat 27 April 2024 @ 17:30
Luton (a) - Fri 3 May 2024 @ 20:00
Sheffield United (h) - Sat 11 May 2024 @ 15:00
Arsenal (a) - Sun 19 May 2024 @ 16:00
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