Everton player lucky as Keith Hackett reacts to Nottingham Forest footage
Everton earned a dramatic last-gasp victory against Nottingham Forest thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s late winner.
David Moyes’ side have become draw specialists since the Scotsman returned to Goodison Park, having most recently played out a 1-1 draw with Arsenal last week, and it looked like being another stalemate.
However, Doucoure had other ideas as he found the net in the third minute of added time at the City Ground on 12 April.
That is now just one defeat – coming against Liverpool – in 12 Premier League outings for a revamped Everton side.
Everton will argue they were deserving of the win against a Forest side sitting third in the Premier League, in what was a game of few major talking points until the dramatic late twist.
Jarrad Branthwaite involved in contentious moment
Forest’s players were not pleased in the opening 15 minutes as they felt Jarrad Branthwaite was fortunate to escape punishment after barging into Jota.
Branthwaite caught Jota with his upper body, sending his opponent flailing to the ground.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not feel the need to so much as issue a yellow card to Branthwaite, although VAR intervened to check the incident.
| PL table | 2024-25 |
| Position | 14th |
| Games Played | 32 |
| Points | 38 |
| Goal Difference | -4 |
It was adjudged by those at Stockley Park that there was not enough in it for a red card, but they were unable to then ask Taylor to issue a yellow.
And in the view of former FIFA official Keith Hackett, Branthwaite can consider himself fortunate to have avoided any sort of punishment.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Hackett said: “This was an offence that was reckless and warranted at least a yellow card minimum.“
Branthwaite went on to get booked shortly after for a separate incident.
Everton earn massive win at Nottingham Forest
Everton may have become very tough to beat of late, but nobody really expected them to come away from Nottingham with three points – let alone one.
Moyes deserves huge credit for the work he has already done at Everton in such a short space of time.
This win lifts the Toffees up to 14th in the Premier League, above Tottenham and level on points with Manchester United.
Relegation was once a real threat; now a top-half finish is not entirely out of the question.