Recap

Everton Dominates Nottingham Forest with a Convincing 3-0 Victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium

A Rapid Start Sets the Tone

Everton secured a commanding 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in their Premier League clash on December 6, 2025, at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The match got off to a flying start when an early own goal from Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic inside just two minutes put Everton ahead. The goal originated from a teasing cross by Forest midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, which Milenkovic unfortunately deflected into his own net, providing Everton with an early advantage and setting the tone for the match.

Thierno Barry’s Long-Awaited First Goal

One of the standout moments of the match came just before halftime when Thierno Barry, Everton’s young striker, scored his first-ever goal for the club. After a swift and well-executed counterattack led by Iliman Ndiaye, Barry finished with precision, slotting a first-time shot into the bottom right corner, sending Everton supporters into jubilation. This goal was particularly significant as it rewarded the faith of manager David Moyes, who had given Barry consistent starting opportunities in recent matches following his £27 million transfer from Villarreal. Barry’s goal came after 737 Premier League minutes of waiting and marked a key moment in Everton’s attacking resurgence.

Forest’s Struggles and Everton’s Control

Despite being led by Sean Dyche, a former Everton manager, Nottingham Forest struggled to make a meaningful impact. They failed to register a shot on target until late in the first half, just before Barry’s goal. Everton capitalized on Forest’s defensive vulnerabilities, maintaining strong defensive discipline themselves and effectively stifling Forest’s attempts to create chances.

Dewsbury-Hall’s Brilliant Finish Seals the Victory

Ten minutes before the end of the match, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored Everton’s third goal, emphatically ending any hopes of a Forest comeback. Dewsbury-Hall, who had been involved in the own goal early on and produced a consistently strong display throughout the game, collected a pass from Jake O’Brien following a corner. Dewsbury-Hall then unleashed a powerful strike, capping off Everton’s dominance with the final goal.

Key Performances and Tactical Insights

David Moyes’ side showed resilience and tactical discipline, managing to secure four wins in five matches, which propelled them within a point of the Premier League’s top four, putting them in contention for European competition places. Moyes’ tactical decisions, including giving extended starts to the young striker Barry over more experienced forwards like Beto, paid dividends as Everton found a clinical edge in front of goal that had previously been missing.

On the defensive side, Everton kept a clean sheet, their second consecutive shutout, showcasing solidity at the back and effective goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was called into action late but only to parry an Elliot Anderson shot that was Forest’s first serious threat on target.

For Nottingham Forest, it was a disappointing afternoon, especially coming after their recent impressive victory at Anfield against Liverpool. Dyche’s team appeared overexposed at times, and their inability to counter Everton’s fast breaks and defensive organization cost them dearly.

Match Summary:

• Early Own Goal: Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest) scored an own goal within 2 minutes from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross.
• Thierno Barry’s First Everton Goal: Scored just before halftime after a rapid counterattack led by Iliman Ndiaye.
• Jordan Pickford: Key defensive role with timely saves helping secure the clean sheet.
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Both assisting and scoring; netted the third goal in the 80th minute.
• Managerial Victory: David Moyes outsmarted Sean Dyche, his predecessor, in a tactical battle.

Everton’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest not only added three crucial points to their Premier League campaign but also boosted the confidence of the squad, especially the young attacking talent. With this victory, Everton ascended to the fringes of the top four, highlighting a promising phase under Moyes amid a challenging season.