Everton

We asked for a reaction and that is exactly what we got.

It was not pretty, but it never is. Everton showed the heart that was so obviously absent against Chelsea, in a game that had drastic implications for both sides.

The aftermath of the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest may have been dominated by the officiating, but Everton’s performance and handling of such a pressured match should not be lost.

After Monday, it would have been easy for the players and manager to hide and wilt given the magnitude of the game.

I questioned last week whether there were any souls left to search and if there was still stomach left for the fight. Maybe I underestimated the characters within the club. We should be mathematically safe with five games remaining. Some turn round from the previous two seasons.

As a fan base, we won’t and shouldn’t get carried away. Two huge games remain in what we all deemed a pivotal week for the club.

The Merseyside Derby is next on the agenda. A game often fraught with anxiety and tension, but so often a non-event for us Evertonians.

Two sides at opposite ends of the table and objectives worlds apart. This game has a lot riding on it for both sides. From our perspective, any points won during the game would be massive.

It is the proverbial ‘free hit’ for us, but certainly not a game we should simply let slide by.

Sunday’s win has given us all a slight bit of room to breathe. We can go into the game knowing our destiny is in our own hands and this game won’t define it.

A win for us would be monumental however. Faith has somewhat been restored, so you just never know.

You can find Mike at the The Unholy Trinity Everton Podcast, external

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Monday, 22 April marks Earth Day - a day in the international calendar that provides the opportunity to reflect, make change and understand more about sustainability and the impacts of climate change.

Sport and football are not immune to these issues and there has been increasing awareness of their relationship to the environment over the past few years.

Football has a global footprint and, as it continues to grow, it has been subject to questions and criticism over some of the decisions that could hinder efforts in reducing its impact, including expanding Uefa cup competitions and the men's Fifa World Cup.

The effects of adverse weather related to climate change has been increasingly felt, with a study last year showing extreme weather has affected 40% of football players and spectators.

But, football and its fanbase also have an opportunity to be part of the solution, with clubs like Forest Green Rovers showing how the sport's environmental footprint can be reduced.

We have taken a look into some of the key things Everton are doing to become more sustainable:

• They have created the 'Everton for Change' initiative to raise environmental awareness and explore ways the club can have a sustainable and positive impact.

• Reusable cups have been introduced in place of single-use plastic cups at Goodison Park, switched plastic cutlery for wooden and plastic straws for paper.

• The aim has been set for the new stadium to be the most sustainable in the Premier League.

• The club have a strong partnership with the Canal and River Trust and they complete regular canal clean-ups with different groups.

• Kits are produced in a way that includes reusing bottles and minimising water consumption.

One important area all Premier League clubs can address to reduce their carbon footprint is their travel, as shown in BBC Sport research.

Why is this important?

Football For Future is a non-profit organisation working with stakeholders across football to create a more environmentally sustainable culture and founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop told BBC Sport: "Climate change will be the defining challenge of our generation, and the future of football will be affected too.

"We're already seeing the impacts, with more than 120,000 English grassroots games being called off annually, and major tournaments such as the World Cup and Afcon being moved because of extreme weather.

"Beyond the pitch, the climate crisis threatens livelihoods and global food and water security.

"With its unparalleled social influence, football has an opportunity to inspire global climate action, from micro-behaviours to essential policy change."

What would you like to see your club do more (or less) of to be greener?

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty answers your questions on all things Premier League.

Steve from Worcester asks: Hi Phil, with all the talk about Forest this morning, can we also mention what a huge win for Everton that is. With an away game v Luton coming up, that was crucial yesterday to their survival, thanks.

McNulty answered: Hi Steve, all the penalty debate and Nottingham Forest’s social media statement certainly overshadowed Everton’s win but it was absolutely vital for the reasons you state. And it was certainly needed after the embarrassment of the 6-0 loss at Chelsea.

This is a huge week for Everton with two more home games against Liverpool and Brentford before that potentially defining game at Kenilworth Road.

It was a battle settled by two moments of quality but, in many ways, so typical of the wins Sean Dyche has had at Goodison Park since he has been at Everton.

Follow more from Phil in our live text here

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The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes Sunday's win over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest was a "big step" in Everton's survival bid.

The controversial 2-0 win moved the Toffees four points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand over the three teams directly below them.

"That win was huge for them," Edwards told the Football Daily podcast.

"They haven't taken a step towards safety, they've taken a big leap.

"Sean Dyche was under the pump - he was under pressure. Fans were starting to question if he was the right manager.

"They were dreadful in the game against Chelsea - everything that a Dyche side isn't or shouldn't be they were.

"To win that [against Forest] under pressure, at home - I've been tipping Everton to stay up and I think they will now.

"They've been here before, they've got these games at home against teams around and below them in the table and they've won the first of those. Job well done and well done to them.

"I think the noise at the second goal just felt like they'd taken a big big step towards safety."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Everton's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are some of your answers:

Everton fans

Blue: A scrappy, nervous game but a result to cherish. The much-needed three points didn’t come easy as Forest gave all they had. Everton’s play was no better but the result is all that matters. The fans will sleep a little easier - but I’m sure, with the way this team play under Dyche, there will be more anxiety before the season ends.

Joe: It's a really big win for many reasons - shaking off the dreadful 6-0, two points deductions, possible administration. We're not safe (in every possible meaning) but we appear to have some breathing space. I don't think we'll see a safe Everton until we move into the new stadium. But at least we're fighting again!

Ian: As an Everton fan, I'm grateful for the three points - but we were fortunate with the penalty decisions. Had they been against us, we would be screaming! On to Wednesday night.

Stephen: It doesn’t matter if it was a scruffy game as long as we won. Three points and a clean sheet after last week’s drubbing by Chelsea. Two more wins and we should be safe. If the boardroom sorts itself out we should look forward to less stress for next season.

Nottingham Forest fans

David: Three awful penalty decisions but I’m appalled that the club are suggesting Stuart Attwell made decisions because he’s a Luton fan. I want nothing to do with such a comment, which is very embarrassing.

Henry: In the past few games we haven’t pressed as high as our opponent and it has left them free to walk in to our half and us camped on the edge of our own box for too long. I don’t see the right movement or passing in the final third, and even when we have the movement up front we don’t make the through passes and end back with the keeper.

Sim: This wasn’t about Forest’s performance as once again the match was dominated by the decisions of the officials. I’m not surprised that the club has posted their statement.

Rob: Losing to Everton sums up the season for Forest. Conceding too easily, missed chances and then blaming the ref and VAR. Something has to change for Forest to stay up.

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Saturday's games here.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full:

Everton v Nottingham Forest

Fulham v Liverpool

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Everton boss Sean Dyche to BBC MOTD: "Two wins out of three games, two clean sheets out of three games. That's an important factor. People forget because we had an ugly one on Monday.

"We all took responsibility and you saw that today. A connected team that did everything to make sure we took care of ourselves. We've had games where we created many more chances but we found two goals and that's very pleasing."

On the injury to Beto: "Nothing of any depth at the moment other that he was coherent, he did come round. He could hear everything. We'll find out more going forward. At the moment good news, positive news.

"Luckily the medical team were on their fast, deal with the situation fantastically well so far. I was quite calm in the sense that the right people are there on the spot."

• Everton have picked up six points in their last three Premier League matches (W2 L1), as many as they did in their previous 13 games combined (D6 L7).

• Since the start of last season, Nottingham Forest have lost more Premier League away games than any other side (24), picking up 12 fewer away points than any other ever-present side in that time (18).

• Each of Everton’s last three Premier League goals have been scored from outside the box (Calvert-Lewin vs Burnley, Gueye & McNeil today) – before today only three of their last 40 goals had come from outside the area.

• All 17 of Dwight McNeil’s Premier League goals have been scored with his left-foot – only Stuart Pearce has ever scored more left-footed goals in Premier League history (20).

• Only the bottom three sides have recorded fewer Premier League clean sheets this season than Nottingham Forest (4). Goalkeeper Matz Sels has just one clean sheet in his 12 appearances so far.

Everton took a vital step towards Premier League survival with victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a scrappy affair at Goodison Park.

Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil scored with long-range efforts in each half to settle the battle between the two clubs who have suffered Premier League points deductions this season - with appeals pending that could still shape their fate as the campaign reaches its climax.

Everton have now moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on Luton Town but Forest remain deep in trouble, only a point ahead of the Hatters.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Everton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Forest fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are four Premier League games on Sunday, and we will bring you every moment.

All times are in BST

Listen to BBC radio commentaries of all games and follow live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on singer-songwriter and Arsenal fan Sam Tompkins.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

This game could be dubbed 'the deduction derby' and it's hard to know what to expect from either team.

I had Everton down to get a draw at Chelsea last time out, so I was only six goals out.

The questions here are whether Sean Dyche's side are going to respond to that heavy defeat, and also whether Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is going to be fit?

Without him, Everton do lack a bit of bite. Beto missed a chance from three yards out on Monday that reminded me of me, in the days when I played for Chelsea and was even missing when I was stood inside the goal.

Nottingham Forest are hardly in great form either, with one win in nine games, so the safest thing here would be to go for a draw.

I am not going to do that, though. It's a big game at the bottom and I think there will be a winner... and I am going for Everton to sneak it, on the basis that they will show some anger after losing 6-0.

Sam's prediction: 1-3

This weekend is like one big relegation scrap. There is something about Forest that makes me think they will win this - Morgan Gibbs-White is playing well.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Everton manager Sean Dyche says his players must deal with the club's second points deduction, but admits the Toffees seem to keep getting knocked down every time they look to build.

"It's been three years of knocks," says Dyche.

"The club really has allowed itself to be too open to too many."

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League have confirmed the outcome of Everton's appeal against their latest points deduction will be known before the final day of the season.

Everton are appealing the two-point deduction imposed by an independent commission on the club following its admission of a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

This followed an initial 10-point deduction which was reduced to six on appeal in February, for the three-year period to 2021-22.

Sean Dyche's side sit 16th in the table, two points above the drop zone.

The Premier League said making the decision on the latest deduction, and subsequent appeal, before the end of the season "will provide certainty to all clubs and fans".

Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Sunday's huge Premier League game against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Here are the key lines from the Everton manager:

• Dyche said defender Jarrad Branthwaite, midfielder Idrissa Gueye and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin all trained on Friday and should be involved against Nottingham Forest if they suffer no adverse reactions.

• Full-back Nathan Patterson's season is over as he needs surgery on a hamstring injury, putting into doubt his place for Scotland at this summer's European Championship.

• On scrapping FA Cup replays: "The debate on how much football is being played by individuals, are we asking too much of players? Particularly those who are successful. The glamour and prestige of the cup changes [and] they are cramming so much into the season. I don’t think it is an easy situation. The higher up you go, the more trophies you are in and the more games you play."

• Asked if he has 'parked' Monday's 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea, Dyche said: "I certainly haven't - the players have been affected by it. I take responsibility as manager. We spoke to the players, they fed back their disappointment and now we have made sense of it."

• On facing Forest on Sunday: “Since I have been here, every game is must-win. That should be at every football club. I want that mentality from the players. We have spells when we have and haven't and we certainly haven't recently."

• On pressure of the job: “The noise around here is so intense. Big badge, big club. I have got used to it. There are a handful of players who understand it differently. We have to start the process of correcting the story - this has been a really tough spell. Monday adds more fuel to the story. It is a constant work in process."

• On whether everyone at the club is together: "Yeah, you can ask them. Monday night they weren’t and against Aston Villa earlier in the season, it was very disjointed. We took a knock with the second points deduction but all noses are pointing in the right direction. I have picked up from seven different managers to try and find the key to unlock Everton Football Club."

• He wants the fans to stick with them: “Fifteen games ago I was deemed to be the Messiah - I had found the key. Fifteen games later, I am not. The fans question us but I would ask them to stay solid with us. We shouldn't be relying on that when putting on the shirt, fans can help but we should be saying we can take care of it ourselves."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences

Listen to live commentary of Everton v Nottingham Forest from 13:30 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

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Everton first-team performance coach Jack Dowling is just one marathon away from completing 26 in 26 weeks in memory of his late brother Tom who passed away in March.

Jack started his challenge last year and will finish it this coming weekend at the London marathon. He is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and spreading awareness for the struggles faced by young people who suffer from the disease.

"I struggled when Tom passed away about why am I doing this, it's not going to change anything, especially for the marathon after," he explained to BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould.

"But, people reminded me that I'm still doing it for Tom but I'm doing it for every other family that have been supported by Macmillan and the amazing job the charity and nurses do for families across England.

"There's still hope in them so if I can help raise that awareness, spread the message of what Macmillan do and for everyone out there, especially young people with cancer - that's the main reason I'm making sure I finish this challenge.

"Just keep going. I keep saying I just feel like I'm going out for a long run. I've always enjoyed running and I thought I needed to set a challenge to raise money for our Tom and raise awareness for Macmillan.

"People have said what I'm doing is crazy but I really don't see it as that. The main thing is raising awareness and money to try and help Macmillan support families and people with cancer."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds