Long-distance strikes from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil earned Everton a massive 2-0 win over Premier League relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

In a tense encounter, Gueye (29) settled the nerves at Goodison Park with a drilled effort from 30 yards that arrowed into the bottom corner beyond the grasp of Matz Sels before McNeil followed suit with 14 minutes remaining, striking a quality daisy-cutter home from distance.

Forest had three good penalty claims waved away by referee Anthony Taylor, all involving Ashley Young, who survived a challenge on Giovanni Reyna, a handball claim and a challenge from behind on Callum Hudson-Odoi. All three incidents were checked by VAR but the on-field decisions stood and drew an extraordinary response from Nottingham Forest.

They released a statement, via X, which read: "Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept.

"We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn't change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options."

The game also ended on a sour note for Everton after a sickening clash of heads involving Morgan Gibbs-White and Beto which left the Everton forward requiring 10 minutes of treatment. He was carried away on a stretcher but did give the Goodison Park crowd a thumbs-up as he left the field requiring oxygen.

The result moves Everton five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on their rivals, while Forest remain just one point above Luton in 17th.