Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ensures a strong home win

Everton defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to take their fourth win in the last five games.

It was a strong performance on home soil for the Blues, who put aside concerns after their 4-1 win against Newcastle United to record back-to-back victories and climb to fifth in the table.

The Toffees couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match, with Nikola Milenkovic putting the ball in his own net after failing to deal with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s powerful cross-come inside two minutes.

While David Moyes’ side dominated the first half hour, the visitors only started to find their footing late in the first half. However, Iliman Ndiaye led a brilliant counter-attack against the run of play and Thierno Barry finished off the move, scoring his first goal in an Everton shirt as the hosts went into half-time with a comfortable two-goal lead.

It was all Everton in the second half as Sean Dyche’s side failed to force their way into Jordan Pickford’s box. Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up the match 10 minutes from time with a clean strike, capping off a fantastic evening for the Toffees at their waterfront home.

Yes, the season is still in its early stages, but after their recent form it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Blues are finding their way back into the upper echelons of the Premier League, rather than constantly looking down with worry and anxiety.

Here are the player ratings from Everton’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest:

Jordan Pickford: 6.5

Jordan Pickford had to get low just before half-time to make a save from Elliot Anderson. Pickford had a rare moment of confusion in his own penalty area when he accidentally dropped the ball towards Igor Jesus after trying to push the ball clear and hitting Tarkowski. However, Tarkowski blocked the attempt from the line to save the England goalkeeper’s blushes.

Jake O’Brien: 7

After receiving the centre-back man of the match award against Bournemouth, O’Brien was forced to move to right-back after Keane returned to the starting line-up. He played a decent defensive game, apart from the one moment late in the game where he was nutmegged by Neco Williams before pulling his shirt and seeing a yellow card for it. O’Brien also got an assist for Dewsbury-Hall’s goal with a simple lay-off in the penalty area.

James Tarkowski: 8

It was an excellent performance at the back from Everton’s vice-captain. James Tarkowski’s towering presence was simply too much for the Nottingham Forest striker. Tarkowski also made a fantastic block from the line after Pickford uncharacteristically dropped the ball in his own penalty area, drawing the unforced error from Igor Jesus.

Michael Keane: 7

Recovered in time to enter the starting XI after uncertainty about his fitness all week. Although Keane has been Everton’s standout centre-back this season, he played an able support role for Tarkowski, who led the backline tonight.

Vitalii Mykolenko: 6

The Ukraine international had his hands full trying to keep Morgan Gibbs-White and Omari Hutchinson calm on his flank. His understanding of Grealish is not there yet and Mykolenko still looks limited offensively. He also received a late warning for a foul on Hutchinson.

James Garner: 7.5

Restored in the middle of the park, Garner was a lively presence in the engine room and had a passing accuracy of 94%. He also won five matches and was a threat from set pieces. Garner also had a shot at goal after Grealish found him in the penalty area with the outside of his foot, but it was aimed straight at the goalkeeper.

Kiernan Dewsbury Hall: 9

It was his cross-come shot that took the lead after taking a deflection off Milenkovic on the move, resulting in an own goal. Dewsbury-Hall also hit the post with a curling strike after a Grealish cutback in the 75th minute.

He finally got on the scoresheet ten minutes from time after catching the Nottingham Forest defense sleeping from a corner and finding the far corner with his right foot, scoring his third goal in the last four games.

He was also extremely committed defensively, winning eight ground duels and four tackles in the match, in addition to six clearances and five recoveries. Easy man of the contest candidate.

Charly Alcaraz: 6 (replaced by Dwight McNeil at 73′)

Alcaraz was livelier off the ball than on it. The Argentinian playmaker was played through on goal shortly after half-time, but the bounce of the ball was difficult for him to control, causing the move to fail.

Ndiaye’s education: 8

During a period of sustained pressure from the visitors before half-time, Iliman Ndiaye stole possession in his own half and took advantage of an overcommitted Nottingham Forest attack. He launched a quick 3v1 counter-attack and made his way to the edge of the penalty area before laying the ball to Barry, who finished calmly.

Ndiaye also made a great save from Matz Sels after he mazed his way into the penalty area and tried to find the far corner with his weaker foot. Switched to the left flank as Grealish came free in the final few minutes.

Thierno Barry: 7 (replaced by Beto at 61′)

Thierno Barry finally opened his goalscoring account in blue after repeatedly knocking on the door in recent weeks. Barry kept his composure to finish off the counter-attack led by Iliman Ndiaye on the stroke of half-time and get the monkey off his back.

Barry’s bond with his teammates, hold-up play and aerial presence are also growing sharper with each passing game and Evertonians will hope this first goal will unlock the chains of the summer signing.

However, his temperament remains a work in progress as Barry found himself in the referee’s book for a cynical challenge and needed a word with his captain before being sent off after apparently suffering pain in his shoulder.

Jack Grealish: 7 (replaced by Tyler Dibling at 85′)

Grealish was unlucky not to register an assist tonight after creating three big chances for his teammates with clever cuts and passes into the penalty area. However, his passing was not entirely accurate and he was also dispossessed five times.

Replacements:

Bet: 6

Positive early action and he was keen to press and block passing lanes, even throwing his body in the way in attempts to regain possession. He probably had a few half-chances that he could have done better with, but you can’t blame him for not being able to score from those positions.

Dwight McNeil: 6.5

He kept things going from the number 10 position and often moved to the flanks to provide crosses.

Tyler Dibling: N/A

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