Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Everton – Morgan Gibbs-White dazzles, 2/10 flop ls
Nottingham Forest suffered a huge blow to their Premier League survival chances as they lost 2-0 to Everton on Sunday (21 April).
Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil scored in either half at Goodison Park to secure all three points for the home side.
Football Insider rates the Nottingham Forest players out of 10 for their performances from the league defeat.
Matz Sels [3]
The Forest goalkeeper was perhaps expecting a quiet afternoon at Goodison given the struggles of Everton’s attackers this season, but he was forced into making two saves and one punch. The man between the sticks missed out on a clean sheet, and will be disappointed with his effort for Gueye’s opener.
Ola Aina [6]
Aina coped with the Everton forwards relatively well, with the defender certainly coming out on top in his individual battles, having also impressed going forward with tricky feet and several smart choices on the ball.
Murillo [3]
Having shone under Nuno Espirito Santo this season, Murillo had a day to forget at Goodison Park, with the defender certain to be frustrated with his efforts against a side that are not known for their attacking prowess. A late yellow card for a wild challenge summed up his afternoon.
Moussa Niakhate [3]
Centre-back Niakhate was also nowhere near his best, with the defender often switching off at the back and allowing the opposition forwards far too much space in the final third.
Neco Williams [6]
Former Liverpool man Williams was on fine form on his return to Merseyside from the first whistle, with the right-back constantly bombing down the right hand side of the pitch, as well as carrying out his defensive duties admirably.
Danilo [2]
The midfielder will be very disappointed with his performance against the Toffees, with Danilo losing all four of his duels at Goodison Park.
Nicolas Dominguez [5]
Danilo’s midfield partner Dominguez did not fare much better on Merseyside, with the Forest man winning just two of his four duels in his battles against the likes of Toffees men Gueye and Andre Gomes.
Callum Hudson-Odoi [5]
The winger was uncharacteristically quiet in red, with Hudson-Odoi winning just three of his eight ground duels, the majority of which came up against Ashley Young, a battle in which the former should have emerged victorious more often than not given both his pace and age advantage over the latter.
Morgan Gibbs-White [7]
Unsurprisingly, it was star man Gibbs-White who looked the most dangerous Forest player on the day, with the attacker impressing with a 79% passing accuracy, with three key passes registered. The top display reinforced his importance to Forest, who are in real danger of losing the 24-year-old, with Tottenham and Newcastle wanting to sign him this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Giovanni Reyna [5]
Reyna and his manager may feel aggrieved that the American was denied an early penalty following a tackle by Ashley Young, but overall the attacker simply did not do enough during his time on the pitch, forcing Nuno into withdrawing him early in the second half.
Chris Wood [6]
Wood was starved of the ball at times on Merseyside, but the striker came alive in the final third when it did finally go his way. He certainly tested the Toffees with three shots taken, but Jordan Pickford and his defensive teammates were more than up to the task.
SUBSTITUTES
Anthony Elanga [N/A]
Ryan Yates [N/A]
Rodrigo Ribeiro [N/A]
Divock Origi [N/A]
In other news, Everton and Nottingham Forest to unite in joint protest – ex-PL CEO
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