Image source: i.guim.co.uk
Everton produced a commanding display to defeat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Thierno Barry finally breaking his duck for his first goal in an Everton shirt during his 17th appearance. The victory moved David Moyes’s side up to fifth in the Premier League table, extending their excellent recent form with a fourth win in five matches.
Barry Breaks Goal Duck as Everton Cruise Past Forest in Comfortable Victory
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered another masterful performance in midfield, engineering the opening goal after 83 seconds before capping off the victory with a third goal late in the second half. The early breakthrough came when his dangerous cross deflected off Nikola Milenkovic and nestled in the far corner, setting the tone for a dominant display from the hosts in front of their delighted supporters.
Barry’s long-awaited first goal arrived at the perfect moment just before half-time, as Iliman Ndiaye broke from deep and unselfishly squared the ball for the summer signing to slot home a clinical finish beyond Matz Sels. The £27 million recruit from Villarreal had endured a frustrating start to his Everton career, but his composure in front of goal finally delivered the moment he and the fans had been craving.
Moyes’s tactical approach proved devastatingly effective against a Forest side that looked nothing like the team that had beaten Liverpool 3-0 on Merseyside just a fortnight earlier. Everton’s pressing and counter-attacking play overwhelmed their visitors, with the midfield trio of Dewsbury-Hall, James Garner and Jack Grealish controlling proceedings throughout the 90 minutes at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The comprehensive victory represents another significant step forward under Moyes, who replaced Sean Dyche in January and has transformed Everton’s fortunes with his tactical flexibility and man-management skills. The clean sheet was their fourth in five matches, demonstrating the defensive solidity that has underpinned their climb up the Premier League table during this impressive run of form.
Moyes expressed his delight at Barry’s breakthrough moment, stating he felt as pleased for the supporters as he did for the player himself. The manager emphasised his ambition to guide Everton towards European qualification, acknowledging the progress made while maintaining realistic expectations about the challenges ahead in their remaining fixtures this season.
