An overview of how the national media covered Everton’s big win at Nottingham Forest
David Moyes, manager of Everton, celebrates the victory at Nottingham Forest(Image: Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Some of English football’s most esteemed writers were at the City Ground to report on Nottingham Forest’s fight for Champions League football. But instead of witnessing the returning Chris Wood lead his band of unlikely stars closer to Europe’s top tier, they were instead left writing about Abdoulaye Doucoure, David Moyes and the Everton away end.
“Wild” and “delirious” were among the words used to describe the incredible scenes when Doucoure fired home deep into stoppage time.
Forest have been superb this season but no-one argued Everton did not deserve this win, earned after Dwight McNeil snatched the ball from Murillo and sparked a late surge forward.
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In the Times, Jonathan Northcroft framed this result around the potential consequences of Murillo’s later error. But even if the wider story was about Forest, the Blues forced their way into the narrative – and like many others, he was blown away by the reaction in the away end: “McNeil was still inside the Everton half, but Forest were bare at the back and Abdoulaye Doucoure was haring forward to his left. McNeil’s pass was smuggled into his path and, as Doucoure drew his foot back, the City Ground gasped.
“When Doucoure swept the ball beyond Matz Sels, there were delirious scenes in the away end behind the goal. The win lifts David Moyes’s reinvigorated side above Tottenham Hotspur to 14th, but the goal’s repercussions in the race for Europe could be profound.”
In the Telegraph, John Percy also drew on the celebrations in the away end as he lauded the impact of Moyes. He wrote: “Here was further evidence of the David Moyes effect, and how some managers seem to have an affinity with certain clubs. Everton are virtually safe from relegation and this was only their second win in the last nine matches, but it was thoroughly deserved.
“Moyes always thrives in these types of games and his team were set up perfectly to frustrate Forest. Everton are now above Tottenham Hotspur and level on points with Manchester United in the table.”
In the Guardian, Will Unwin agreed with Moyes’ post-match verdict – that his team’s performance warranted a win. Unwin wrote: “The visitors deserved the win against a side who did not live up to their lofty position of third place.
“In many ways, it was surprising it took Everton, who have lost twice in 13 Premier League games under David Moyes, so long to find a goal. They had dominated from the early stages and offered little to Forest in return. Neither Forest nor Everton are used to enjoying the majority of possession, making an intriguing spectacle when such sides meet. The hosts stuck to their usual plan of foregoing use of the ball, waiting to play on the counter, but rarely threatened.”
In the Mail, Tom Collomosse drew on the Blues’ abysmal record at Champions League-chasing sides to highlight the value of this victory – and drew stark contrast with how Moyes has taken the pressure off his team just as others begin to feel it.
Collomosse wrote: “This was only the third win from 68 away matches for Everton against teams starting the day in the top three. David Moyes’ side secured survival long ago. Forest still have everything to play for… Forest dreamed of a winner when they won a late corner. Seconds later, the ball was in their net. Murillo found himself in a tangle on halfway, Dwight McNeil raced clear and fed Doucoure, who beat Sels from close range.”
And in the ECHO, the final word was given to Doucoure and his ability to come up with special moments at the club he loves: “Few players appear to divide opinion as much as Abdoulaye Doucoure. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season his future, like that of so many of his teammates, is uncertain.
“But whatever happens this summer, make no mistake: Doucoure’s is a name that will go down in Everton folklore. There was, of course, that stunning, survival-clinching strike against Bournemouth that sparked celebrations that made Goodison Park shake and created an explosion of noise heard across the Mersey.
“There have been so many other crucial moments. Frozen out by Frank Lampard, Doucoure’s resurgence gave his side the chance to save themselves on the final day of that season. Goals – including in the 2-2 draws at Nottingham Forest and Chelsea two years ago, then the critical brace in that shock thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion – were the steps that allowed Sean Dyche’s team to climb out of the bottom three. At the start of the following season it was Doucoure’s early strike at Brentford that kickstarted the campaign and more followed. And now there is this. Doucoure has another moment to add to his burgeoning scrapbook of Everton highlights.”