Everton are returning to Merseyside with three points in the bag from their game against Nottingham Forest.
There will be a lot of happy Evertonians as David Moyes continues to work his magic after his return in January.
Abdoulaye Doucoure scored deep into stoppage time to seal all three points against Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying Reds.
By adding three points to the board, Everton have pulled themselves 18 points clear of the bottom three.
Doucoure will get the credit for scoring, and that will mask over a number of decisions made by referee and VAR John Brooks.
Speaking to Everton News, Mark Clattenburg has admitted there was one big decision which the officials did not get right.
Mark Clattenburg spotted missed penalty in Nottingham Forest vs Everton
Sean Dyche previously criticised VAR John Brooks in the 2023 meeting between these two sides at the City Ground.
A penalty decision was the reason behind the 53-year-old’s frustration and there was even more controversy on Saturday.
Carlos Alcaraz was clattered into by Ryan Yates in the second half and Clattenburg had told Everton News that was a penalty missed by Pawson and Brooks.
“The challenge on Alcaraz by Yates inside the penalty area will create some debate. The referee’s decision is key here as the referee does not give a penalty. Is it a clear and obvious error? I don’t believe it is but also if the referee had awarded a penalty then the VAR will not change,” said the former Premier League referee.
“This decision could have been a penalty as Yates is late into the challenge without winning the ball and clearly body checks his opponent.
“Anywhere on the pitch, this challenge would be a foul. Therefore it should be a penalty!”
Everton fans mocked Forest fans by joking about their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
However, the spirits may not have been as high had this missed penalty decision have cost the Toffees a chance at taking all three points.
David Moyes says Everton fully deserved Forest win
Fortunately, Everton were able to seal the points despite this apparent error from Pawson and Brooks.
Moyes has now accepted Everton are safe from relegation as the Toffees look ahead to what is set to be a huge summer.
It has been quite the turnaround on Merseyside and this victory showcased just that as Everton got the better of the side sat all the way up in third spot.
Speaking after the game to BBC Sport, Moyes said his men were full value for their three points which came through the last-gasp winner.
“I have got to say it was a great goal but thoroughly deserved,” he said.
“It certainly merited a win and I thought we played very well, when you come to a team sitting third in the Premier League and the semi-final of the FA Cup. I think if anyone was going to score, it was us.”
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