Dermot Gallagher reacts to controversy in Nottingham Forest v Everton – ‘Devastated’
Everton recorded a dramatic victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, and there was no shortage of controversy.
Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a 94th-minute winner to send the travelling Everton fans wild after an evenly matched game against a high-flying Forest team.
The result means that David Moyes’ side have zero fears of relegation from the Premier League, while also sitting above Manchester United and Tottenham in the table.
There was one controversial refereeing decision during the game which could have changed the result, and former referee Dermot Gallagher has now given his verdict.
Gallagher gives verdict on Jarrad Branthwaite challenge
A fiery opening 15 minutes saw Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite barge into Forest attacker Jota with brute force, angering the home crowd.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not punish the player with a card, but VAR checked the incident for a potential red card.
Branthwaite was cleared and put in a stellar performance as Everton kept a clean sheet at Forest, but some may argue that he could have been sent off.
| Stat | Branthwaite |
| Appearances | 81 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 2 |
Former referee Keith Hackett told Goodison News that Branthwaite was lucky to escape a yellow, but Gallagher has now claimed that Taylor made the right call.
“I just think this is a thing that’s been ramped up and ramped up and ramped up,” Gallagher said on Sky Sports Ref Watch (14 April, 11:20am).
“If I was a player, seriously, and the referee sent me off for that, I’d be devastated. A foul at the most, but certainly not a red card.”
Branthwaite impresses again in Everton victory at Forest
England international Branthwaite’s challenge was heavy-handed, but Taylor was right not to punish the centre-back for it.
Branthwaite then went on to deliver an exceptional performance alongside James Tarkowski at the back.
In-form striker Chris Wood posed a threat for Forest, but Branthwaite helped shut him out of the game completely, while the Everton star also wowed fans with some impressive passing.
Branthwaite has been a revelation in the Everton back line, and this victory and clean sheet away at Forest was another display in which he showed his true top-class ability and potential.