Premier League: Brennan Johnson Rescues Nottingham Forest in Crucial Everton Draw

Brennan Johnson struck twice to earn Nottingham Forest an important 2-2 draw in opposition to fellow strugglers Everton in the battle for Premier League survival.

Steve Cooper’s facet trailed to Demarai Gray’s early penalty on the City Ground on Sunday earlier than Johnson popped up with the equaliser.

Abdoulaye Doucoure put Everton again in entrance, however Johnson rescued Forest when he netted once more late in the second half.

Forest are unbeaten in their final 9 league house video games and sit 4 factors away from the relegation zone.

On a freezing afternoon by the banks of the River Trent, it was Everton who felt the icy chill of potential relegation wash over them.

The Toffees sit third backside, under Leeds on aim distinction, as they combat to keep away from enjoying in the second tier for the primary time since 1954.

Everton boss Sean Dyche has received simply as soon as in 5 video games since beginning his reign with a shock victory in opposition to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Dyche’s facet had been thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal on Wednesday in a rematch that laid naked the brutal fact about his lowly membership’s perilous place.

Everton kicked off because the lowest scorers in this season’s Premier League and as soon as once more, they had been with out injured England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Despite Calvert-Lewin’s absence, Everton took the lead after 10 minutes when Jonjo Shelvey tripped Dwight McNeil, conceding a penalty that Gray transformed with ease for his first aim since January 3.

It was solely Everton’s seventh away league aim this season however they couldn’t maintain the benefit for greater than 9 minutes.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s low strike was parried away by Jordan Pickford, however Johnson was completely positioned to fit house from six yards.

Everton responded impressively to that blow and captain Seamus Coleman appealed in useless for a penalty after Jack Colback’s problem despatched the defender sprawling.

Dyche’s males regained the lead in the twenty ninth minute when Doucoure headed previous Forest keeper Keylor Navas from close-range after Everton received a sequence of aerial duels from Pickford’s free-kick.

Three of Everton’s 4 objectives underneath Dyche have come through a set-piece.

They almost notched one with out the help of Dyche’s set-piece planning simply earlier than half-time when McNeil’s dipping volley was tipped over by Navas.

As the stress mounted in the second half, each groups resorted to some ferocious fouls that left referee John Brooks with no choice however to subject a string of yellow playing cards.

It was Forest who emerged from the maelstrom with their composure intact and so they salvaged some extent in the 77th minute.

Ryan Yates’ move discovered Johnson on the sting of the realm and the Wales ahead superior unhindered by the sluggish Everton defence earlier than curling a high-quality end into the highest nook from 12 yards.

Forest pushed arduous for a winner and Pickford needed to save nicely from Andre Ayew’s low drive earlier than Johnson fired simply broad.

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