Ex-Man United coach boosts Chelsea's UCL chances as Aina-less Forest fall to Toffees
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Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye (10) shoots at goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton at the City Ground, Nottingham, England on 12 April 2025 || Image credit: Imago

Ex-Man United coach boosts Chelsea's UCL chances as Aina-less Forest fall to Toffees

Faruq Ibrahim 17:01 - 12.04.2025

Nottingham Forest let it slip in the Champions League race with defeat at the City Ground.

Everton dominated most of the encounter, and their increased intensity in the second half yielded rewards late in the game when Abdoulaye Doucoure turned in a Dwight McNeil delivery to help Everton win 1-0.

The Tricky Trees sit third in the Premier League standings, and a victory would have taken them to the 60-point milestone, five more than Manchester City in 4th, six more than Villa in 5th and seven more than Chelsea in 6th, although the Blues have a game in hand.

With the defeat, they are now within touching distance of all three clubs, with a two, three, and four-point gap above the clubs mentioned above. Then there is Newcastle, who are 7th with 53 points, but with two games fewer than Forest on 57.

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The game in brief

Neither team failed to sustain a spell of possession in the first-half, with both sides deploying pragmatic setups. Everton had more of the ball in that half, however, but struggled to create scoring chances. 

David Moyes made some tweaks to his side at half time, and after the break, the Toffees showed more urgency, nearly scoring through Iliman Ndiaye before Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels made a crucial save.

Forest briefly came alive in the final 30 minutes, but Morgan Gibbs-White's shot was comfortably saved. As frustration grew among the home fans, Everton continued to press, and their persistence paid off in fine fashion. 

A counterattack from a Forest corner caught the hosts off guard, and Abdoulaye Doucoure calmly slotted the ball into the near post after a McNeil delivery, securing a stunning 1-0 win for the visitors.

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