Nottingham, England – In a thrilling encounter at the City Ground on April 12, 2025, Everton stunned Nottingham Forest with a dramatic 1-0 victory, thanks to a last-minute goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure. This win dealt a significant blow to Forest’s aspirations for a Champions League spot.
The match appeared destined for a scoreless draw until substitute Dwight McNeil made a crucial impact in stoppage time. McNeil dispossessed Forest’s Murillo in midfield and delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Doucoure, who composedly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Everton’s manager David Moyes expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting how they dominated possession and created crucial chances throughout the match. “We’re challenging the best teams in the league at the moment, which is a great sign for me,” Moyes stated after the match. This victory pushed Everton to 14th in the Premier League standings.
For Nottingham Forest, the defeat was a significant setback in their quest for Champions League qualification, as they now sit only four points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, stating, “We were not comfortable, we didn’t play good. The game didn’t flow, everything created a lot of problems for us.”
The match began cautiously, with both teams struggling to find a rhythm. Despite a tense first half that saw few clear chances, the second half brought some urgency. Callum Hudson-Odoi emerged as a stand-out for Forest, but his efforts were thwarted by a solid Everton defense and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
With this win, Everton also inflicted Nottingham Forest’s first home defeat since November, making a statement in a league where every point is vital. The Toffees’ defense proved resilient, allowing only limited opportunities for their opponents.
As the final whistle blew, Everton fans celebrated their team’s hard-fought win, while Forest faced the daunting task of facing Tottenham in their next match, with their hopes of Champions League football at risk.
“It is big for us. That’s our third away win; that’s not too bad,” Moyes added, looking to build on this momentum as Everton approach the upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Forest must regroup quickly as they strive to maintain their position in the top four amid rising pressure from their challengers.
