Everton player ratings as Dwight McNeil and three others shine against Nottingham Forest

Everton secured a crucial 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in their fight for Premier League survival as two low struck drives off the post from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil either side of the break saw off the other side to be deducted points this season.

The Blues had the edge on their East Midlands rivals throughout and responded well to the 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea on Monday to triumph despite a sickening head injury to Beto in stoppage time that forced the substitute to be stretchered off.

Jordan Pickford 8

Made a crucial stop to save a Chris Wood effort from point blank range – celebrating as the game went on – after earlier denying Neco Williams, but some of his kicking was off as he seemed to be suffering a hangover from Stamford Bridge.

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Ashley Young 6

Moved back to right-back, he survived a couple of Forest penalty shouts for handball but defended doggedly to avoided being exposed one-on-one.

Vitalii Mykolenko 7

Offered a threat from crosses when McNeil cut inside, as shown by his delivery that Ola Aina could only deflect into Gueye’s path for the goal, he pushed forward when he could while also being solid at the back.

James Tarkowski 7

Back captaining the side, he was a tower of strength, making a couple of crucial blocks to deny Wood after Pickford’s save, he got forward to provide the knockdown for Calvert-Lewin’s chance but escaped punishment when Morgan Gibbs-White shot wide after a defensive header fell into his path.

Jarrad Branthwaite 8

A composed figure at the back, he got the home crowd off their seats in the first half with a surging