Three talking points as Nottingham Forest’s surprisingly dreary home performance against Everton saw them lose 1-0 in the 94th minute, casting doubt on their potential Champions League ambitions. George Edwards was at the match
Nottingham Forest’s home defeat to Everton was perhaps their most surprising performance of the season.
Granted, the 5-0 loss at Bournemouth is competition, but there was a sense of disbelief and shock palpable around the City Ground at full time. So often this season, Forest have gotten the job done when everyone expects them to, and Everton at home almost felt like a formality.
That’s no shirk on their opponents, but testament to Forest’s ultimate professionalism and mindset this season, unbeaten against every side in the bottom half pre-match. It was a flat performance completely out of the blue, especially given the momentous second half at Aston Villa that seemed sure to flow into Forest’s final fixtures.
With 94 minutes on the clock, Forest’s fate was sealed, a victory that Everton merited and one that reduces the Reds’ cushion inside the Champions League places.
Forest stifled
Everton did to Forest what Forest have been doing to teams across the Premier League all season. They were dogged, rampant and did not let their opponents slip into any sort of rhythm or comfort, maintaining control throughout.
It began with two early cynical challenges from Jack Harrisson and Jarrad Branthwaite, both given fouls but neither booked, setting out Everton’s stall and reinforcing to Forest that they’d have to work damn hard to secure the result they craved.
The absence of Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga meant Forest had no pace or outlet, and were stifled in the middle of the park. Chris Wood’s return saw him isolated and fighting a losing battle against Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, touching the ball the least of all 22 starting players.
There was a lack of fluidity or understanding, with simple 10-yard passes ending up short of their destination coupled with a lack of the risk taking that Forest usually display.
Part of that comes down to the expert marking job done on Morgan Gibbs-White, his influence rare throughout, especially after he was moved out wide once Elanga joined from the bench.
The game was hurtling towards a 0-0 draw, but if any side were to merit victory, then Everton’s second-half opportunities would suggest it to be them – 90 minutes that won’t be one for the Forest history books.
Unite around Murillo and continue their positive mindset
Perhaps the strongest asset this Forest side currently possess is the complete freedom of expression felt by every member of the squad.
Their two perceived biggest assets have that in abundance, and the mistakes made by Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo must be allowed to foster their success; it makes them players that they are.
Gibbs-White in particular will lose possession cheaply once or twice every match, frustratingly so, but without the bad there would be no good, and amidst rumours of Manchester City’s interest, you can’t help but think his style is far better suited in a system of freedom and expression.
The mistake by Murillo leading to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s last-gasp winner stemmed from Forest’s ever-positive mindset and their belief that any situation can become a positive one. Murillo leads that, everything he does with an eye on getting forward, remarkably so for a defender.
Forest’s Brazilian maestro has come through dark times before. He was hooked at half-time last year at Villa Park. Similarly, his international debut for Brazil ended after 45 minutes too. But he has always risen from these moments, as have Forest this season.
So, if Forest are to rise again, doing so as a collective and with that ever-positive approach are paramount.
The panic scale
Forest have been impeccable over the years at either throwing away things, seemingly in the palms of their hands, or doing things in the absolute hardest way.
The Everton defeat is the first in a while that nobody saw coming, billed as the perfect way for Forest to react to defeat at Villa. They have now lost back-to-back games at a time in the season where form like that just cannot happen.
Based on the evidence of the season so far, we needn’t worry. The reaction to adversity and setbacks has been central to the reason Forest have done so well, and this isn’t the first time they have lost two in a row.
They haven’t yet lost three in a row, but while for so long Forest have been asking the questions, questions are now being asked of them. Newcastle play three times before Forest next take to the field, with a distinct possibility that Forest may not be in third place when they kick off against Spurs on Easter Monday, a position they have held for the entirety of 2025.
So, where are you on the panic scale?
You can’t help but feel slightly nervous about the run-in. Any kind of European football, any position inside the top 10, represents the best Forest season this century and sets a marker down for positive things to come. However, the Champions League has felt within reach for so long now that failure to achieve a top five finish would generate hints of disappointment.
So, onto the final six games, and while fears will spread across the fanbase, we just know Nuno and his players will put this one behind them and be ready next Monday.
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