Malian midfielder Doucouré's strike compromises Forest's top-4 push

Photo Credit: Everton FC

Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré's late strike for Everton dented Nottingham Forest's top four hopes on Saturday.

David Moyes' men won the Premiership game 1-0 to move into 14th place on the log table while shrinking the gap from third placed Forest to Manchester City to just two points. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Doucouré struck four minutes into added time.

Forest, lying two points ahead of fourth place Manchester City, had pushed forward only to be caught out of possession. A counterattack saw Everton break clear on the right before the ball was switched to the opposite flank where Doucouré had timed his run to perfection before scoring.

The defeat for third placed Forest coupled with City's earlier 5-2 punishment of Crystal Palace makes the chase for European football interesting. A draw let alone a loss in the next game for Forest would give City, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Chelsea a chance to move into the top three.