Dwight McNeil's second-half strike as enough to give Everton and Sean Dyche a key victory as they defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground.
McNeil gave his side the lead in the 67th minute with a brilliant half-volley into the top corner after good work from Jack Harrison, as his first goal of the season.
The Toffees were the better side in the first half, with Beto passing up a wonderful opportunity in the 23rd minute. Dwight McNeil did well to get in front of the Forest keeper and stop him from catching the ball, and it fell kindly to Beto who couldn't keep his effort down with the goal at his mercy.
Just after the half-hour mark, Anthony Elanga went close with a half-volley that flew just past the post after Everton failed to clear from a cross - a moment which signalled their first true attempt. But Dyche's side went the closest in the first-half, just before half-time, as Abdoulaye Doucoure's brilliant touch and release saw McNeil through on goal from the left. His strike was then cleared off the line miraculously by Murillo, who's intervention clipped the post before heading to safety.
The second-half exploded into life in the 54th minute; Doucoure's pull on Ryan Yates was checked by VAR as a corner came in and it then resulted Felipe hitting the post. A minute later, the defender brought down McNeil just outside of the box a minute later at the other end, which Ashley Young then fired into the wall.
But McNeil gave Dyche the lead in the 67th minute after good work from Harrison, who's cross found the winger at the back post and his measured but powerful half-volley rifled into the top corner to give his side the lead.
Forest rallied late on but failed to create anything substantial and Dyche's side walked away with their first three points since their 10-point deduction. That win makes it seven wins in 11 games and they move up to 18th place in the table, just two points off Luton Town in 17th place. Standout performers include the likes of James Garner and the two centre-backs in what was a hard-fought team performance.
Here's how LiverpoolWorld rated the Everton players after that performance.
9. Jack Harrison - 7/10
Tried his best to create throughout the game, but he only really had one moment; his sharp one-two on the edge of the box on the right allowed him to cross for McNeil's goal. | Getty Images
10. Dwight McNeil - 8/10
McNeil's goal was the difference maker and he also had a strike cleared off the line as well. Looked to drive forward at any given opportunity and was brilliant. | Getty Images
11. Beto - 6/10
The forward was perhaps a little bit rusty, given it was his first start since September. Got into some good positions but failed to make them count. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Youssef Chermiti - 5/10
Given 10 minutes at the end of the game, he was left up on his own as Everton looked to hold their lead. | Getty Images