Brennan Johnson scored twice for Nottingham Forest to secure a point against an Everton side whose display was “a great building block” in their Premier League survival bid, according to Sean Dyche.
The visitors had twice led but missed the chance to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Everton, who have won two of six since Dye was appointed manager in January, are in the bottom three on goal difference behind Leeds United.
“I’m happy,” Dye told JEE News. “We are doing the right thing and there has been a real commitment to the cause since I joined.
“Right now it’s just the details. We have to fix the mistakes but we defended well today and responded.
“There were a lot of positives about the performance. We know we have to win the game but you have to start again and he really showed a step forward.
“It was a really great performance. It’s a great building block to continue the journey.”
In an electrifying contest, Demrai Gray put Everton ahead from the penalty spot after Jonjo Shelvey’s trip on Dwight McNeill.
But the forest was soon on the surface. Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford parried Morgan Gibbs-White’s shot and Johnson coolly slotted home at the near post.
Abdoulaye Doukour restored Everton’s lead with a header from close range before half-time, but with 13 minutes remaining Johnson’s lovely curler secured a point for the hosts.
Everton’s away blues continue
Having seen fellow strugglers Bournemouth, West Ham and Leeds lose on Saturday, Everton had the chance to move up to 16th in the table, but left the City Ground disappointed.
And after losing their previous three away games without scoring, the Toffees showed some progress.
Gray scored his fourth league goal of the season to become his club’s top scorer this campaign, while Ducour’s header ensured he avoided a club record run of 14 consecutive games without scoring a goal. do
And McNeill went close to adding a third before the break but Keylor Navas brilliantly tipped his long-range drive over the crossbar.
But their failure to win at Goodison Park is costing them dearly. Johnson’s late equalizer means Everton still have just one league win this season when they travel to Southampton on October 1.
Home comforts key for Forest survival
Forest have a similarly poor away record, but only three home defeats are helping to keep them out of the relegation zone.
And they had top scorer Johnson to thank for extending their unbeaten league run at the City Ground to nine matches.
His first goal was an opportunistic effort, as he reacted quickly at the near post after Pickford failed to push Gibbs-White’s drive away from the danger area.
His second was superb. The ball fell to him in the box and he took a touch before curling a delightful shot into the top corner
The draw means they have collected 20 of their 26 points in front of their own fans and that form at home could be crucial in the run-in.
Forest boss Steve Cooper was unhappy with the performance of referee David Brooks, who he felt should have called a foul on Gibbs White in the build-up to Everton’s second goal.
Cooper said: “I’m disappointed with the referee but we’ll look into it. I thought he got a lot of decisions wrong.
“He’ll know that and he’ll probably have to explain his performance. It’s a shame that things like that affect the game.
“You want to win or lose with what the opponent does – not with the officials. The boys are a bit disappointed they didn’t win but they gave everything and showed courage.”
