Everton took an important step towards Premier League survival with victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a scrappy affair at Goodison Park.
Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil scored with long-range efforts in each half to settle the battle between the two clubs who have suffered Premier League points deductions this season – with appeals pending that could still shape their fate as the campaign reaches its climax.
Everton have now moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on Luton Town but Forest remains deep in trouble, only a point ahead of the Hatters.
Forest, however, was left fuming by referee Anthony Taylor ignoring three penalty appeals, including when Ashley Young handled in the closing moments of the opening half and then when the veteran tangled with Callum Hudson-Odoi as he raced in on goal in the second period.
After the match, Forest sent out a strongly-worded post on social media platform X, criticising “three extremely poor decisions” and the appointment of Stuart Attwell as video assistant referee for the game.
BBC Sport is contacting the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the English professional referees’ body, for a response.
Everton broke the deadlock after 29 minutes when Gueye fired low past Matz Sels, only his second goal in a century of attempts from outside the area, with McNeil settling the destiny of the points when he drilled home via the post from 25 yards with 14 minutes left.
