Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League) 20.08.22

Nottingham Forest were denied a late win against Everton following an 88th minute leveller by Demari Gray after Brennan Johnson looked to have won his side the game with an 82nd minute opener at Goodison Park.

An injury suffered in the win against West Ham United last weekend meant that the Reds were without summer signing Moussa Niakhate with Steve Cook coming in for his first Premier League start of the season. Morgan Gibbs-White, a recent big money capture from Wolverhampton Wanderers announced just yesterday, was on the bench.

A tight but bright first half saw chances at both ends as Henderson saved from Gordon’s long range effort before stopping Gray on the follow up, Williams at the other end firing one towards the top corner with Pickford punching away, O’Brien blazing over the crossbar from the rebound.

On 24 minutes Awoniyi tested Pickford after good work by Brennan Johnson to pinch possession, Mangala then had an effort saved on the half hour before Cook blocked from Gray’s attempt.

In the second half Everton pressed as the game opened up some more, Rondon spinning Steve Cook and shooting just wide, Holgate denied by Henderson, some brave Forest defending keeping the Toffees at bay, whilst the Reds on the break themselves looked dangerous.

On 72 minutes Gordon had another shot superbly saved by Henderson before substitute Ryan Yates had a shot deflected wide at the other end, debutant Gibbs-White also on as a substitute then teased a cross in which fell for Neco Williams who shot wide from outside the area, but on 81 Ryan Yates had a shot from distance parried by Jordan Pickford where Brennan Johnson was on hand to tap home his first Premier League goal.

Forest endured more home attack and as the day looked to be going the Reds way, the blues attacked some more with a long ball from Pickford picked up by Demari Gray who raced onto the ball and struck home to level the score.

Chances at either end to snatch victory went begging even later on, in the end both sides perhaps disappointed with the outcome, Forest from having three points almost sewn up, annoyed by letting their lead slip, whilst Everton, and under pressure Manager Frank Lampard, although they have their first point of the season, the Toffees are still without a win this campaign and a home match against newly promoted opposition might have felt like perfect opportunity for them to grab their first win.

Everton: Pickford, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Patterson, Davies (Onana 57), Iwobi, Mykolenko, Gordon, Rondon (McNeil 57), Gray.

Nottingham Forest: Henderson, Worrall, Cook, McKenna, Williams, Mangala (Yates 55), O’Brien, Toffolo, Lingard (Kouyate 84), Johnson, Awoniyi (Gibbs-White 61).

Venue: Goodison Park

*Main image @NFFC Brennan Johnson scores the opener at Goodison Park.