Barry Bags As Blues Win Again In Style

Thierno Barry bagged his first Everton goal as the Blues wrapped up a memorable week with a second victory – and second clean sheet – to see off Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Buoyed by their success at Bournemouth four days earlier, David Moyes' side got off to a perfect start inside two minutes when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's teasing cross was put into his own net by Nikola Milenkovic.

And if the first half got off to a cracker, it ended on a high note, too, as a swift counter led by Iliman Ndiaye ended with Barry sending Evertonians wild with a first-time finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

Forest, managed by ex-Blues boss Sean Dyche, looked to find a way back after the break but any hope they had was put to bed 10 minutes before the end when Dewsbury-Hall – brilliant yet again – collected Jake O'Brien's pass from a corner and smashed home.

The result moved Everton up to fifth in the Premier League table and full of confidence ahead of tough tests next up against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Keane was the only change from Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth, passed fit after a minor niggle to take his place in central defence alongside captain Tarkowski.

With Tim Iroegbunam serving a one-match ban for picking up a fifth yellow card at the Vitality Stadium, James Garner returned to central midfield next to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with O’Brien switching to right-back again.

While Everton fell behind inside the first minute seven days earlier at home to Newcastle, it was the Blues’ turn to enjoy early joy at Hill Dickinson with barely 80 seconds on the clock.

Moments after Nicolo Savona had been cautioned by bringing down Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner – both so impressive in recent weeks – played a one-two down the left flank to allow the summer signing space to move forward. Dewsbury-Hall cut back onto his right foot and whipped an inviting cross into the area that was turned into his own net by the head of Milenkovic.

It was the ideal opening for the Toffees and they nearly built on it on 16 minutes when Dewsbury-Hall collected the ball 25 yards out and, with space in front of him, smashed a low drive that Matz Selz parried away.

Forest remained a threat going forward but it was the Toffees who were carving out the clearer chances, Dewsbury-Hall in the thick of the action once more approaching the half-hour mark when his shot from inside the area struck Ibrahim Sangare that led to shouts for handball but replays showed it hit the Ivorian’s midriff.

The visitors had their best opportunity so far in first-half added-time as Elliot Anderson was slid in down the left side of the area by Omari Hutchinson and had his angled finish parried away by Pickford.

That proved vital when, with seconds to go before the half-time whistle, Ndiaye did typical Ndiaye things, collecting possession on halfway to spearhead a counter, gliding past Milenkovic before, so unselfishly, teeing Barry to plant a first-time finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

The French striker’s maiden Everton goal – in front of the South Stand – was met by joyous scenes around Hill Dickinson and the 23-year-old lapped up the appreciation as just reward for his clear progress in recent weeks.

Dyche responded with three changes for the start of the second half – Sangare, Dan Ndoye and Savoa replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ryan Yates and Zach Abbott.

It was the Blues who went closest to netting again nine minutes after the restart, however, as Barry’s excellent link-up play set Alcaraz free before the Argentinian was chopped down 25 yards from goal by Milenkovic, who was booked.

Garner’s resulting free-kick was spilled away by Selz and, when the ball was recycled back to the Blues midfielder, his low effort was held by the Forest keeper.

As the half mark passed, Beto was sent on for Barry, who was given a rousing reception for his work-rate and first goal for the Club, while Yates limped off after a clash of legs with Alcaraz and was replaced by Nicolas Dominguez.

The new man so nearly found a way back into the contest for Forest five minutes later, too, reacting first when Pickford clawed away Hudson-Odoi’s cross but seeing his goalbound shot blocked by Tarkowski.

The game was nearly done and dusted with 15 minutes remaining when a delightful flowing move started with the tireless Dewsbury-Hall winning possession 30 yards from goal, moving the ball wide left to Grealish and, when his fellow summer arrival gave it back, Dewsbury-Hall curled a finish that hit the outside of the left-hand post.

Ndiaye was next to look to wrap it up, cutting inside from the right and whipping a shot that Selz did well to turn over the bar.

The pressure was ramping up and Everton were not to be denied 10 minutes from time. Garner’s corner from the left was brought down by O’Brien and, as the Irishman laid it back to Dewsbury-Hall, the in-form midfielder cracked the ball into the net first time.