Garner Sets Out New Everton Ambition

James Garner hailed Everton's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest as the Blues' best team team performance of the season so far, while also sharing a personal target to kick on to a new level by promising, "I've definitely got another level to go".

Abdoulaye Doucoure's stoppage-time winner earned the Toffees a deserved three points following a dominant performance at the home of Champions League-chasing Forest on Saturday.

It was another impressive away victory for David Moyes' side, who have also registered triumphs at Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace since the manager's arrival in mid-January.

Only five teams have amassed more Premier League points than Everton's 20 since Moyes' began his second tenure at the Club – and Garner says that sustained run of form has created a new feeling of confidence in camp.

"I think as a team it was probably our best [performance] this season, in terms of on the ball, and I think off the ball as well," Garner told evertontv. "They're a very good side at home. We knew we were going to have a lot on the ball, but it was how we nullified their counter-attack and how we got the ball back, I think we did that very well, as we showed with our goal – we won it back high, then Dwight [McNeil] with a bit of magic and Doucs on the end of it.

"[Coming into the game] they were third in the table, chasing Champions League, and they're up there for a reason, but from the first minute we asserted ourselves in the game and I think we definitely deserved to win.

"It's massive for us to have that confidence.

"We've just played the top three teams in the league table and we've gone toe-to-toe with all three of them, so that just shows the levels that we have for ourselves. 

"The manager said afterwards, 'Let's get used to this feeling, this should be the norm'. We know the ability that we've got in the squad and the manager has instilled the belief in us – we're showing it out on the pitch."

Recalled to the starting line-up having being named on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park, Garner produced a standout display at the City Ground – winning seven duels, three tackles and finishing with a pass completion rate in the final third of 93.3 per cent.

He continued: "I was happy to be back in the team, of course, I'm not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed not to play last week against another top opposition, but I'm getting my chances to start for this club. 

"I want to show my best and I think today was a solid performance for myself.

"I think I'm definitely getting my rhythm back. I think since I've been here, it's been so up and down, mainly downs more than ups, not just as a Club but me as an individual.

"I've had a lot of injuries and even when I've been playing, I've been playing with little knocks and niggles and stuff, but I'm finally feeling pain-free. 

"I want to stay like that and keep building from here, because I know I've definitely got another level to go."