James Garner returned with a goal and an assist as Everton ended their losing streak at three with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Garner enjoyed two stints on loan at Forest, but wasted no time reacquainting himself with the City Ground after scoring his first goal since 6 December against Everton (again against Forest) in the 19th minute.
Everton’s injury-hit side suffered a dip in form immediately after the opening game and were forced to weather the storm from the hosts, but there was space on the counter and Garner’s sharp pass finally found Tierno Barry, who slotted home to extend their lead to two points with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The striker has struggled since completing his £27m move from Villarreal in the summer, but improved against Forest, with his club’s two goals coming against Forest.
Igor Jesus had a chance for Forest with the scoreline at 1-0, but he could only fire a shot from inside the box a few inches wide of goal.
Manager Sean Dyche cited a lack of “cutting edge” in an interview with Sky Sports, admitting his team dominated the game and fired in 52 crosses on the night to no avail.
Everton’s Tierno Barry celebrates doubling the lead
“We dominated the game, but we have to find the cutting edge,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to be done. It’s a reminder.”
The misery of this loss and the resulting three-game losing streak was compounded by the fact that he started 2025 losing to the team that sacked him and ending the calendar year at home being booed.
Meanwhile, the Toffees’ victory moves David Moyes’ side to within two points of fifth-placed Chelsea ahead of their trip to Brentford in the new year. Forest travel to highly-rated Aston Villa for the first Test of 2026.
Garner: We were outnumbered on that one!
Everton midfielder James Garner told Sky Sports:
“We knew it was going to be tough coming here. It’s impressive that there are a lot of injuries and a lot of players at AFCON.
“It was very impressive because we haven’t been the best at putting the ball in the back of the net this season.
“We were on the back foot for most of the game and it was tough in the moments when we had chances.
“This is huge. We need everyone for the second half of the season. To win on the road with two goals is huge.”
Moyes: Forest played well, but we defended better.
Everton manager David Moyes told Sky Sports:
“We missed some chances and conceded some easy goals so we had to defend better.
“James Garner has made a huge difference. He is a multi-tasking player and can do so many things that we could have played him at right-back today!”
“A lot of credit goes to the boys who haven’t played a lot of football. It was a great defense. Forest also played well, but we just defended well.”
Daichi: This loss reminds us that we have work to do.
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche told Sky Sports:
“Credit to them. They played great defense. We conceded two very sweet goals and it’s very frustrating. We have a lot of work to do. It’s a reminder.”
“Moyes’ teams are always organized. I’ve worked with them and I know everything about them, but they’re a difficult team to beat. Our effective players weren’t effective. We didn’t deal with it.”
“There’s bound to be expectations at this club, but we’re dealing with them. That’s the next step for the players. We dominated the game, but we have to find the cutting edge.”
Garner is haunted by his former team…
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James Garner haunts former team Nottingham Forest to give Everton the lead
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Tierno Barry doubles Everton’s lead against Nottingham Forest
