Everton joint-top scorers Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil could miss out when the Toffees attempt to extend their unbeaten run to five matches at home to in-form Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday (3pm GMT).
Midfielders Ndiaye and McNeil have each scored three of Everton’s 15 Premier League goals this season, with the Englishman also providing four assists.
“It is still a bit of a touch-and-go scenario, with these games coming thick and fast – so it is a maybe, at the moment, whether Dwight makes it,” said Everton manager Sean Dyche.
“We will have to wait and see. We have just got to make sure on Illi [Ndiaye]. I took him off in the last game just for a minor tightness in his calf – we will wait to see how that settles.”
It’s what he does 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xstluSkCJN
— Everton (@Everton) December 27, 2024
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Man City vs Everton: Ndiaye goal
Senegal international Ndiaye lashed in a memorable first-half equaliser in his side’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Thursday before being withdrawn nine minutes from time.
Visiting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also saved City top scorer Erling Haaland’s penalty after the break as Everton ensured they have collected consecutive draws against fourth-placed Arsenal, second-placed Chelsea and the reigning champions.
“It would have been harsh on them, so we take the point,” reflected Dyche when he was asked whether Everton could have won, adding that he wasn’t “surprised or relieved” by his players’ performance.
“I believe in them as well. It was just lacking a bit of intent. Two losses in 13 – I know there have been a lot of draws – but it’s not easy to do that in the Premier League.”
— iliman Ndiaye (@iliman_ndiaye) December 26, 2024
Everton vs Forest
Forest’s 1-0 home win against Tottenham later on Thursday means they arrive in fourth place and on a run of four straight wins.
Victory would lift Nuno Espirito Santo’s team to second, although Forest lost both of their meetings with Everton last season without scoring.
Forest’s only win in the last nine editions of the fixture came at Everton in 1999, with a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in August 2022 their best result since then.
Everton, in 15th, are three points above third-bottom Leicester City with a game in hand and five behind Manchester United immediately above them.
