Nottingham Forest finished 2023 in style, defeating a lackluster Everton side 2-0 at Goodison Park to move up to second place in the Premier League, sending shockwaves through the top-flight hierarchy.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are quickly becoming the surprise package of the season, with their impressive performances threatening to upset the established elite. With Arsenal not playing until Wednesday, Forest’s victory means they will end the day just one place behind leaders Liverpool, who take on West Ham later this evening.
Striker Chris Wood was the architect of Forest’s success, scoring a stunning opener and assisting in the second goal, bringing his tally to 11 league goals for the campaign. After warning the Everton defence with a missed long-range volley and flicked header, Wood finally made his mark by cleverly exchanging headers with Anthony Elanga before lofting the ball over the stranded Jordan Pickford.
Everton struggled to create genuine chances, with Armando Broja, making his first start for the Toffees, showing promise but failing to convert as he drove a shot wide from the edge of the box. Forest nearly doubled their lead before the break, but Ramon Sosa squandered a golden opportunity when he hit the wrong side of the post after being played through.
The points were secured just after the hour mark when Morgan Gibbs-White, Forest’s captain, cut inside sharply and fired home with precision. His goal not only confirmed the victory but also solidified Forest’s position as Liverpool’s closest title challengers at the halfway point of the season.
As their supporters celebrated, Forest’s rise continues to be the feel-good story of the season, while Everton finds themselves in desperate need of improvement as they look to avoid a battle against relegation.
