Despite going ahead twice at the City Ground, Everton were unable to cling on for what could have been a precious away win over Nottingham Forest as the Premier League’s two lowest-scoring sides played out a thrilling draw that was low on quality but high in drama with survival stakes high.
It was only the third time this season that the Blues had scored more than once in a game - and the first time under Sean Dyche - and despite the league table, for long periods they looked the more polished of two struggling sides with both teams going into the fixture on the back of 4-0 defeats to West Ham United and Arsenal respectively.
Everton were handed an early boost on 10 minutes when they were awarded just their second penalty of the season – the other being a late consolation in a 4-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion when former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey tripped Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray, who was starting for the first time under Sean Dyche, sent Keylor Navas the wrong way from the spot.
