Abdoulaye Doucoure delivered a 94th-minute winner to hand Everton a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, dealing a significant blow to the hosts’ Champions League hopes.
The game seemed destined for a goalless draw until substitute Dwight McNeil set up Doucoure, who calmly slotted home in the dying moments to secure all three points for the Blues.
Forest, led by Nuno Espirito Santo, have enjoyed a remarkable season by climbing to third in the Premier League, but wins by Manchester City and Aston Villa earlier on Saturday saw them slip into the top five, intensifying the pressure.
The loss leaves Forest nervously eyeing their remaining fixtures as they fight to retain their Champions League ambitions.
In scorching conditions, the first half unfolded as a cagey affair. Both goalkeepers were called into action, with Forest’s Matz Sels saving James Garner’s low drive and Iliman Ndiaye’s header, while Everton’s Jordan Pickford comfortably dealt with efforts from Jota Silva.
Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi provided flashes of brilliance in the second half, cutting inside on the break to test Pickford, but his curled attempt lacked the precision to break the deadlock.
With time running out, Everton capitalized on the counter-attack to snatch the win, climbing to 14th in the league table and leaving Forest stunned.
