Our Everton jury return to have their say on the 3-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest and the upcoming game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Thierno Barry celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 6, 2025
Thierno Barry celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 6, 2025(Image: Gary Oakley/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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Thierno Barry ended his long wait for his first goal as Everton beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. The Blues led after two minutes thanks to Nikola Milenkovic's own goal before Barry struck in first-half stoppage time.
The outstanding Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall then completed the scoring 10 minutes from time. It was Everton’s fourth win in their last five Premier League games, and they are now firmly in the European mix.
Next up is a trip to Chelsea, and our Everton jury have returned to have their say on the win over Sean Dyche’s side and this weekend’s game at Stamford Bridge.
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James Kellett - Dibling needs the same trust Barry has been given
Everton’s victory against Nottingham Forest was arguably one of their finest at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. A routine 3-0 that lifted the Blues into the European spots and at last saw Thierno Barry bag his long-awaited first goal for the club.On top of the clinical nature of his finish, the celebrations were simply heightened by the fact that he at last found the back of the net. But many were not shocked by this, as the centre forward had been progressing week by week, and it felt like only a matter of time before he got on the scoresheet.
The start of the season was plagued by an inconsistency in the front line, and the continuous swapping of Beto and Barry did not help anyone. However, once Barry started to string together a run of games in which he started, you could see a player beginning to come out of their shell and become more fearless.
Now the Frenchman has scored, it would be ideal to see him notch some over the festive period, but with two tough games ahead, as long as we see the same effort, dedication and intelligence that we have seen in recent weeks, the support for him will not wither.
David Moyes should now be looking to other players that require the same trust that was bestowed upon Barry, and Tyler Dibling is one man he needs to focus on. After the upcoming Premier League clash against Chelsea, the Toffees will unfortunately be without Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, as the Senegalese pair head to AFCON.
Idrissa Gueye leaves the pitch after being shown a red card while interacting with teammates Jordan Pickford and Iliman Ndiaye during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford. Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Idrissa Gueye leaves the pitch after being shown a red card while interacting with teammates Jordan Pickford and Iliman Ndiaye during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford. Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Following Gueye’s red card against Manchester United, Moyes’ side were handed three games without the central midfielder, which should allow for a smooth transition while he is away. But the absence of Ndiaye is going to leave a large hole in the starting XI, as the 25-year-old is one of only three outfielders to start every league game for the Blues this season.
In recent games, Dwight McNeil has picked up more minutes than the ex-Southampton winger, and it looks likely that he will be favoured, but this does not mean Dibling will be completely overlooked. Should Senegal make it to the final of AFCON, that would mean Gueye and Ndiaye would be away for seven games.
This gives sufficient opportunity to ensure Dibling clocks more minutes as compared to the start of this season, as well as a comfortable chunk of games that can allow him to build confidence.
The 19-year-old has much to prove, and granted that when Ndiaye returns, he may have to bear another spell on the bench; the coming weeks will provide the perfect opportunity to highlight what he can bring to the team and give Moyes a wanted selection headache.
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Paul McParlan - Time for passports?
It was a hugely impressive performance by Everton on Saturday, arguably the best of the season so far. We went after Nottingham Forest from the start, scored an early goal and imposed ourselves on the game.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was a revelation once again, operating in a more withdrawn midfield role, and is making his case for being one of the signings of the campaign so far. This allowed Charly Alcaraz to start in a more advanced role, and he added a vibrancy to our forward play with his ability to run at defenders and break quickly.
Everton's second goal was the highlight for me. It was the first time that I can recall us scoring a goal from a rapid counterattack this season. Iliman Ndiaye was sensational, picking up the ball in his own half and outpacing the covering defenders. Charly Alcaraz and Thierno Barry burst forward with him, and we had three against one on the edge of the Forest box. His exquisitely threaded pass then set up Barry to notch his first, and long overdue, goal for Everton. It was a moment to savour for so many reasons.
There is no doubt that David Moyes was starting to lose patience with his striker, as he hinted in his post-match interview. The test for the young Frenchman now is to build on this and kickstart his Everton career.
A word of praise for the match official, Chris Kavanagh. Normally it takes five crunching tackles on Jack Grealish before a yellow card is produced, but the referee issued one to Nicola Savona in the first minute after he scythed Jack down. It made a welcome change and sent a clear message to their other players.
David Moyes gives Jordan Pickford instructions during the Everton vs Nottingham Forest match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 December 2025
David Moyes gives Jordan Pickford instructions during the Everton vs Nottingham Forest match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 December 2025(Image: Craig Thomas/Sportimage/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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It has been good to see Dwight McNeil getting more minutes in recent games. He seems to have put himself back in the manager’s plans and made an impact when he came on. With the impending departure of Ndiaye for AFCON, McNeil might well have a future at Everton after all.
That win moved Everton into a Champions League place on Saturday. David Moyes tried to play that prospect down afterwards, but is there a chance? Nobody would have tipped Nottingham Forest to end up with a European place at the start of last season, but they did and almost made the Champions League as well.
I think we are a better team now than they were last year. This is the most congested Premier League table in years. Any team that can put together a run of results is in contention for a place in Europe.
If we can bring one or two additions to the squad in January and add a few more goals, then there is no reason why Everton shouldn’t be pushing to be one of those teams. A place in Europe and a decent FA Cup run – I would be more than happy with that!
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Mark McParlan - Reminded me of his famous solo goal
The School of Science – on its way back? Certainly that was the audible view of 52,000 at Bramley-Moore Dock on Saturday, witnessing an amazing whole-team Everton performance.
We dominated the game from the off, absolutely playing Nottingham Forest off the park, very much like the Fulham home match. That result and the manner of it completely exonerated all the woes of that now-forgotten Newcastle match, even down to the similarly early goal.
I said last week Thierno Barry had to score a goal in December, and so it arrived! I hope this unlocks him now, and we’ll see another from him this month. Of course, it was a world-class assist from Iliman Ndiaye, who, though not necessarily the fastest sprinting winger in the game, had such excellent ball control that he literally carried it from his own half into Barry’s feet at the Forest penalty box.
Reminded me of his famous solo goal against Tottenham last season. He leaves after Chelsea – are Dwight McNeil’s increasing minutes recently an indication that he will have the nod? Suddenly I’m looking forward to watching so many of our players every matchday. Jack Grealish changes our whole team dynamic.
Jack Grealish during the match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 December 2025
Jack Grealish during the match between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 December 2025(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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We are running out of superlatives for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s fantastic midfield performances, and these extra goals added to his game now are so valuable. What a signing. Meanwhile, there’s talk of a new contract for James Garner (yes!).
He has been excellent, kicked on so much from last term, and his versatility is invaluable. He’s performed at left-back, right-back, and central midfield. An assured, quality passer of the ball, willing to progress up the pitch.
I’ve spent enough time praising our midfield and forward performances, but it’s worth mentioning that these four wins have come with clean sheets. That old Moyes solidity is back. James Tarkowski and Michael Keane were excellent at the back again on Saturday.
After the dust has settled, we find ourselves in 7th. The next two tough fixtures, away at Chelsea and home to Arsenal, should make it clearer whether we are seriously competing for a top 8 European finish or not.
Two or three points, and perhaps we are truly contenders. But until then, I’m satisfied with watching an Everton side winning games and playing good football.
Connor O'Neill
Connor O'Neill