You'd think a match between two of England’s most historic clubs would be a predictable grind, especially with Sean Dyche involved. But the recent clashes in the 2025/26 season have turned that logic on its head. If you haven't been paying close attention to the Nottingham Forest vs Everton rivalry lately, you’ve missed a strange, lopsided narrative that has left the City Ground faithful scratching their heads.
It’s weird. Forest can go out and thump Liverpool 3-0 or dismantle Spurs with the same scoreline, yet when they see a blue shirt, they seem to forget how to play football. Honestly, the tactical hex Everton holds over them right now is one of the most underrated stories in the Premier League.
The James Garner Revenge Tour
Football has a funny way of making you regret your choices. Nottingham Forest fans still adore James Garner for what he did during that promotion-winning loan spell. He was the engine. The heartbeat. But on December 30, 2025, he was the executioner.
Coming back to the City Ground is always emotional, but Garner didn't show much sentiment. In a depleted Everton side missing the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite, Garner basically ran the show. His goal in the 19th minute was a masterclass in timing. He burst from deep, latched onto a Dwight McNeil pass, and finished like a seasoned striker.
Later, he turned provider. A bit of individual brilliance freed him from his marker, and he put it on a plate for Thierno Barry to seal the 2-0 win. It wasn't just the goals, though. Garner’s work rate in front of the back four was tireless. He finished the game with a 9/10 rating on most scouts' sheets, and frankly, he deserved it.
Why Forest Keep Falling Into the Same Trap
There is a glaring issue with how Forest approaches this specific fixture. Under the current setup, they have become somewhat obsessed with "the cross." Against Everton, that is basically suicide.
In the December 30th defeat, Forest whipped 52 crosses into the box. 52. Imagine being James Tarkowski or Jake O’Brien. You are 6'4", you love heading things, and a team just keeps lobbing the ball toward your forehead for 90 minutes. It was almost comical. The Toffees' defenders were practically laughing as they cleared ball after ball. Forest had 1.5 expected goals (xG) and nothing to show for it because their "Plan A" played directly into Everton’s greatest strength.
- The Possession Paradox: Forest had the lion's share of the ball.
- The Finish: Igor Jesus prodded wide, and Morgan Gibbs-White tested Jordan Pickford, but there was no real "Plan B."
- The Counter: Everton, meanwhile, were clinical. They didn't need the ball; they just needed Forest to get frustrated and leave gaps.
The Dyche Factor: A Double-Edged Sword
The irony isn't lost on anyone that Sean Dyche is now the man in the Forest dugout. After being the face of Everton's survival for so long, he’s now the one trying to figure out how to beat them. It hasn't gone well. In the space of one month in late 2025, Dyche lost twice to his former club by an aggregate score of 5-0.
That 3-0 drubbing at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 6th was particularly brutal. An own goal by Nikola Milenković in the second minute set the tone. Forest never recovered.
It raises a big question: Does Dyche know Everton too well, or does Everton know Dyche too well? David Moyes, back in the Everton dugout, seems to have the upper hand. He has built a side that is comfortable being "short-handed." Even with Jack Grealish relegated to the bench due to illness and several starters on international duty, the Toffees looked like the more cohesive unit.
Where the Teams Stand Now
As we move into 2026, the table doesn't lie. Nottingham Forest vs Everton has become a battle of two different trajectories.
Everton has managed to climb into 8th place, defying early-season expectations. They’ve found a way to win ugly, which is the hallmark of any successful Moyes team. On the other hand, Forest is flirting with disaster. They sit in 17th, just four points above the relegation zone. The inconsistency is maddening. One week they look like European contenders; the next, they look like the easiest team in the league to play against.
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The stats for this fixture are becoming increasingly grim for the Tricky Trees. They've won only one of their last seven meetings against the Blues. Even more worrying, they haven't beaten Everton at home in their last five attempts.
What to Look for in the Next Clash
If you're betting on or just watching the next time these two meet, keep an eye on the midfield battle. If Forest continues to rely on Neco Williams and Ola Aina to pump crosses in from the flanks, Everton will win every single time.
Forest needs to use the technical ability of Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson to play through the middle. Everton's Jake O’Brien is a wall in the air, but he can be turned on the ground. Igor Jesus has shown flashes of brilliance, but he needs better service than "hopeful lofts."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
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- Watch the Wing-Backs: If Neco Williams is forced into a defensive shell by someone like Tyler Dibling, Forest loses their primary outlet.
- The Garner Marker: Any team playing Everton right now has to man-mark James Garner. Letting him dictate the tempo is a recipe for a loss.
- Identify the "Flatness": Forest has a habit of starting games "flat." If they don't score or create a big chance in the first 15 minutes, their confidence tends to crater.
- The Set-Piece Menace: With Tarkowski and O'Brien, Everton is a threat on every corner. Forest’s zonal marking has looked shaky at best.
The 2025/26 season has proven that history and "big name" signings don't matter as much as tactical discipline. Everton has it. Forest is searching for it. Until Forest finds a way to stop playing into Everton's hands, this "rivalry" is going to remain remarkably one-sided.