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Everton vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Sean Dyche and Nuno Espirito Santo aim to boost suvival hopes in the deduction derby

5 months ago 34

By Will Pickworth

Published: 12:00 BST, 21 April 2024 | Updated: 12:58 BST, 21 April 2024

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The man in form

Chris Wood’s £15m arrival from Newcastle last January seemed to be another expensive mistake that Nottingham Forest have been all to guilty of since returning to the Premier League.

After three goals in his first 19 games, many had written the New Zealander off and felt his time at the club was over.

But since Nuno Espirito Santo arrived in December, Wood has been a man reborn and now has nine goals in his past 11 league matches to highlight his status as Forest's unlikely hero of the season.

He blanked last time out against Wolves to end a four-match scoring streak, but his partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White continues to be Forest's biggest threat.

 Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest's New Zealand striker #11 Chris Wood (C) scores their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on April 7, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Last time out

The last time these two sides met was at the start of December when Everton were fresh off receiving an initial 10-point deduction - which was subsequently reduced to six on appeal.

A Dwight McNeil strike secured the victory, with the three points sparking a run of four successive wins for the Toffees.

They have actually only won once in the league since that run, which just demonstrates how tough this season has been for Sean Dyche and Co.

It was a well-deserved three points at the City Ground and you can catch up on that clash below...

Forest team news

Meanwhile, Nuno makes two changes from last Saturday's feisty 2-2 draw against Wolves.

Dominguez and Niakhate replace Yates and Omobamidele, who both drop to the bench.

Reyna is rewarded with another start after his impressive display last week.

(4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Niakhate, Murillo, Aina; Dominguez, Danilo; Reyna, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Everton team news

Sean Dyche makes four changes from Monday's horror show at Chelsea with Gana, Gomes, Harrison and Calvert-Lewin replacing Coleman, Onana, Garner and Beto.

It looks like the evergreen Young will drop to right back, with Coleman not making it today after picking up a knock on Monday.

Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin are both fit to start in a huge boost for Everton.

Here's how I think they will be lining up:

(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gana, Gomes; Harrison, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin

Crunch time for Forest

Like their opponents today, Nottingham Forest have faced a points deduction this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side the subject of a four-point penalty last month for breaching FFP rules.

They've generally improved under the former Wolves and Tottenham boss, rarely getting heavily beaten, but Forest have won just one of their past nine games in all competitions.

Forest will stay out of the relegation zone whatever the result today, but you feel now is the time to step up and start moving away from the relegation battle.

We'll have team news in about five minutes time!

 Friday April 19, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Forest. Photo credit should read Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Toffees looking to bounce back

It's fair to say Everton didn't enjoy the best of days last time out against Chelsea.

Sean Dyche's side put in a dismal perfornance at Stamford Bridge as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season.

Dyche will be hoping that was just a blip, but you can catch up with highlights from Monday's clash below, which included a stunning four goals from Cole Palmer.

A huge clash at the bottom

What an opportunity today is for both sides to get some breathing space away from the bottom three.

A win would be massive in the battle to avoid relegation, while a defeat would only ramp up the pressure heading into the final weeks of the season.

A gigantic afternoon is in store...

Reporting for duty

And it's great news for the hosts that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is with the squad after he missed their 6-0 thrashing by Chelsea through injury.

The England striker has started to recapture some form in recent weeks after a barren run in front of goal.

Sean Dyche will be needing a big performance from his talisman today.

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton before the Premier League match between Everton FC and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on April 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

 Jack Harrison and Ben Godfrey of Everton arrive before the Premier League match between Everton FC and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on April 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)

 Seamus Coleman of Everton arrives before the Premier League match between Everton FC and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on April 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)

The calm before the storm

And I must say, Goodison Park is looking an absolute picture today.

It's a brilliant old stadium and will most certainly be missed when Everton do re-locate for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Good Afternoon

And welcome to Mail Sport's live blog for this afternoon's crunch clash between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park.

It's 16th against 17th as both teams look to pick up crucial points in the battle to avoid relegation.

Stay with us for all the build-up, team news and updates from throughout the match.

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