Nottingham Forest lost a third consecutive Premier League match as the club’s hopes of remaining in the top-flight took a sizeable hit.
Forest were well beaten by Everton, with the Toffees firmly having Forest’s number since the Reds came back up to the Premier League.
James Garner and Thierno Barry scored the goals for David Moyes’ team as the Scottish boss outthought Sean Dyche for the second time this month.
Everton were missing Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gueye for this one, with Jack Grealish only fit enough for the bench.
However, it was Forest who looked jaded, disjointed and frankly, clueless as another defeat combined with a draw for West Ham saw the gap go to four points.
Sean Dyche addresses Arnaud Kalimuendo decision
With Forest desperately needing a goal with around half an hour left, Dyche threw Taiwo Awoniyi – the man without a goal since January 2025 – into the action at the expense of Kalimuendo.
Nottingham Forest lose to Everton at the City Ground ❌
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Forest paid big money for the Frenchman, and during the team’s last two Europa League games, he’s scored decent goals to gain points for the Reds.
However, he can’t get a kick and after Awoniyi had another abysmal showing in a Forest shirt, Dyche was finally quizzed on his decision by BBC Radio Nottingham.
He said: “Well, we work these players every day, so there’s a chance for us to see what they’re activating and what they’re achieving and all of those facts. So, there is a reason why we pick teams, of course, it didn’t work tonight, so we need more from all of them.”
Kalimuendo must be thoroughly dejected after his move from Rennes in the summer and although having three different managers hasn’t helped, Dyche not playing him at the expense of Awoniyi is just laughable.
Forest will go down if Taiwo Awoniyi is the answer
The Premier League journey has been great whilst it’s lasted, but ultimately it’s coming to an end.
Forest have had some good results under Dyche, but the performance levels have been far worse than anything served up during Steve Cooper’s second season in the Premier League.
Persisting with Awoniyi when the club spend £180 million on improving the squad depth in the summer should be a sackable offence of its own accord, and Dyche is under serious pressure.
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West Ham have genuine match winners in their squad, with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta capable of the sublime, whilst the Hammers will also sign players in January to help them through.
Forest just don’t appear to have the minerals at the moment and with Dyche persisting on bang average players and like-for-like substitutions, it feels like this will only end one way at the moment.
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