Nottingham Forest 0-2 Everton: Garner stars as depleted visitors grind it out

Everton moved into the top half of the Premier League and condemned Nottingham Forest to a third defeat in succession after an impressive 2-0 win at the City Ground.

James Garner, who spent time on loan at Forest earlier in his career, scored one and set up another for the depleted Toffees, who were without a number of first-team regulars on Tuesday.

Garner scored Everton’s opener in the 19th minute, drilling home after getting onto Dwight McNeil’s fine pass.

Everton remained defensively resolute, with James Tarowski and Jake O’Brien dealing with a siege of Forest crosses. The hosts’ pressure built in the second half, though a miss from Igor Jesus was the closest they came before the Toffees doubled their advantage.

Not long after Tarkowski had headed wide from close range, Garner brilliantly turned away from his marker and slotted a neat ball through to Thierno Barry, who scored his second Everton goal, with both of those having come against Forest.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Dilane Bakwa went close for Forest late on, but Sean Dyche’s team now find themselves four points off the bottom three.

FT. Up the tricky Toffees!!!!

[0-2] #NFOEVE pic.twitter.com/6onlohUro5

— Everton (@Everton) December 30, 2025

Data Debrief: Everton show resilience on the road

Everton snapped a three-match winless streak with victory here, and they have now won five of their last six away matches in the Premier League when leading at half-time, drawing the other.

Tarkowski and O’Brien were imperious at the back for Moyes’ side, with Pickford left largely untroubled, and their eight clean sheets from 19 league matches is the second-best of any side in the league, behind leaders Arsenal (10).

Garner was the star of the show, though. He won eight of his nine duels to go along with his goal and assist. The midfielder has now been involved in five goals in the Premier League this season (two goals, three assists), his most in a single campaign in the competition.

Forest will be left frustrated at the result, having produced 21 shots to Everton’s 11, along with an xG of 1.90 compared to 1.44 for the visitors, though Everton did create one more big chance in the match (three to two).