Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner as Everton dealt Nottingham Forest’s Champions League hopes a large blow with victory at the City Ground.
Forest were not able to discover a leap forward and the match look to be heading for a goalless draw, however the Blues had different thoughts as replacement Dwight McNeil laid a pass through to Doucoure to coolly slot home a late winner.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have delivered a remarkable campaign by climbing to third in the Premier League, but victories for Manchester City and Aston Villa on Saturday moved them into the top five, leaving Forest looking on nervously.
In scorching conditions, the first half was a slow burner with the two sides calling both goalkeepers into making comfortable saves.
James Garner’s low shot and Iliman Ndiaye’s header were kept out by home keeper Matz Sels while at the other end, Jota Silva’s strike on the turn and tame nodded effort were straight at Jordan Pickford.
The sprightly Callum Hudson-Odoi looked to create some magic on the break in the second period but could not get enough curl onto a shot after cutting inside, as his attempt was smothered by Pickford.
With time running out, Everton snatched a stunning win on the counter-attack to climb up to 14th and leave Forest shellshocked.
“Champions League, you’re having a laugh” was the jibe poked by Everton fans towards their opponents as the visitors claimed a smash-and-grab in the Midlands.
The match was filled with nervous tension throughout from the home faithful as Forest suffered back-to-back defeats following last week’s loss at Aston Villa in their pursuit to reach Europe’s elite club competition.
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Just a year ago, they were beaten 2-0 at Everton and their top-flight status was in real danger with four games remaining as they teetered a point above the relegation zone.
Nuno’s side managed to survive and their turnaround this season has been nothing short of remarkable, disrupting the establishment and reaching the last four of the FA Cup, where they face Pep Guardiola’s City.
But this was a massive setback as they are now only four points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who face lowly Ipswich on Sunday.
Having won seven of their previous nine home games and kept four clean sheets in the process, this result came at the wrong time for Forest with only six games remaining.
Everton repelled everything that came their way from their opponents before hitting them with a sucker punch to claim all three points.
Their top-flight status now looks to be virtually assured by moving 18 points clear of danger.
The Toffees backline defended resolutely and their stubbornness paid off with only their fourth win in 68 away games against a side in the top three.
Doucoure’s calm finish sparked wild scenes from the away supporters, who stayed singing and dancing inside the stadium long after the final whistle had blown.
Manager David Moyes has picked up an average of 1.6 points per game – compared to 0.9 by former boss Sean Dyche – since taking charge in January and can now turn his attention towards next season and Everton’s move to the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock.
