Gueye and McNeil strikes boost Toffees' survival bid

Everton took a huge stride towards Premier League safety with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday. 

Although the visitors made a bright start, the Toffees were the better side for much of the first-half and the hosts took the lead around the half hour mark when Idrissa Gueye latched onto a poor Forest clearance and saw his bobbly shot creep past Matz Selz in the visitors' goal. 

Forest saw a couple of presentable penalty appeals turned down much to their dismay, and Everton stopper Jordan Pickford also made an excellent save to deny Chris Wood before the break. 

Half-time: Everton 1-0 Forest

After the interval, Forest had another penalty appeal turned down, this time for an Ashley Young challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Morgan Gibbs-White then shot wide with arguably their best chance of the game. 

With 20 minutes remaining, Everton needed a second to make the game safe - and they found a goal at just the right time through Dwight McNeil. 

A nice passage of football from the back saw Jarrad Branthwaite transition from defence to attack and McNeil picked up the ball in the middle of Forest's half with space. A quick exchange of passes with Abdoulaye Doucoure gave McNeil a sight of goal 25 yards out and he did the rest: driving a powerful low shot into the net via the post on his 200th Premier League appearance. 

For the remainder of the contest, Everton were happy to protect their two goal lead and Sean Dyche's side held out to safeguard three precious points. 

The Toffees are now five points clear of the relegation zone, while Forest remain a point ahead of 18th-placed Luton Town with four top flight games left to play.