Everton boss David Moyes. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)placeholder image
Everton boss David Moyes. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Everton team news ahead of the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes revealed that he was ‘thrilled’ after Everton’s victory over AFC Bournemouth.
The Toffees battled to a 1-0 triumph at the Vitality Stadium, with Jack Grealish on target in the second half. Everton bounced back from a disappointing 4-1 defeat by Newcastle United and moved up to ninth in the Premier League table.
What’s been said
Speaking to evertontv, Blues manager Moyes said: “It was a tough performance. It maybe wasn't our tidiest or the cleanest we've had, but I thought we were the better team in the game.
"But could we score a goal, or could they score a goal? I think whoever got the goal first then, it would have probably gone that way. Having said that, after getting the goal, we had a couple of other chances to get a second one.
"But, look, I'm thrilled. Bournemouth is not a place where Everton have had a great record. So for us to go away, two away wins in the road on the bounce at the moment is really good. I wish we were scoring three and fours and making it look easier and we could be a little bit more open but we're having to shuffle things.”
Everton’s triumph was made more impressive given that they were without Michael Keane. The centre-back has been one of the Toffees’ best players but was missing because of injury. With Idrissa Gana Gueye serving the second of a three-match suspension, it meant that James Garner had to deputise at right-back and Jake O’Brien moved into central defence.
In addition, Tim Iroegbunam was booked in the 22nd minute so he was walking a disciplinary tightrope for the rest of the game. Moyes added: "Jimmy Garner went back to right-back again tonight because of injuries and I thought he was great against Antoine Semenyo for long periods of the game; the same with big Jake [O'Brien] at centre half – I thought he handled it really well.
"It took a lot of people to stand up. Tim [Iroegbunam] did great, especially in the second half, Tim stood up. So I'm really pleased. They've stuck at it and we're going to have to keep doing that. There were lots of positives to take from it.”
Everton double blow
Iroegbunam picked up a fifth yellow card of the season, meaning that he must serve a one-match ban when Everton face Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. He will be one of three midfielders unavailable, with Gueye still suspended and Merlin Rohl injured after undergoing a hernia operation last month.
Moyes, therefore, will be desperate to have Keane back to fitness so Garner can be deployed in the engine room. Jarrad Branthwaite remains absent as he recovers from hamstring surgery. The key central defender has yet to make an appearance this campaign,
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