Everton returned to winning ways in a crucial Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Idrissa Gueye opened scoring for the Toffees at Goodison Park, capitalizing on a mistake by goalkeeper Matz Sels to find the back of the net from outside the box.

Despite missed opportunities by Forest’s Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White, Dwight McNeil extended the lead for the hosts with a powerful strike from distance in the 76th minute.

The victory sees Everton move five points clear of the relegation zone, providing a much-needed cushion in their fight for survival, after they were thrashed at Stamford Bridge last week.

However, the win was not without controversy, as Ashley Young narrowly avoided conceding a penalty on multiple occasions, with debate over refereeing decisions.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest are now sitting just one point above the relegation zone, with only one win in their last nine Premier League matches.

They have even a tougher clash next, when they host Manchester City in a nerve-wracking encounter.