The timeline of the Everton F.C. Vs Nottingham Forest rivalry shows all fixtures of this EPL clash.
Everton F.C. and Nottingham Forest have faced each other numerous times across English football, producing a mix of thrilling contests, memorable goals, and intense rivalries.
The early encounters between Everton and Nottingham Forest date back to the mid-20th century when both clubs competed regularly in the First Division.
In the 1950s timeline, Everton boasted strong lineups featuring players like Dave Hickson and Tommy Eglington, while Forest relied on key figures such as Roy Dwight and Billy McKinlay to compete at the top level.
These matches often produced close scorelines, with the clubs trading victories and drawing large crowds at Goodison Park and the City Ground.
H2H performance in this era slightly favored Everton, who managed to secure a higher number of league wins, although Forest’s cup runs provided notable highlights for their supporters.
- Key Players In The 1950s:
- Everton: Dave Hickson, Tommy Eglington, Alex Stevenson
- Nottingham Forest: Roy Dwight, Billy McKinlay, Bill Whare
The 1960s and 1970s saw significant evolution in English football, and both clubs adjusted accordingly.
Everton, under the management of Harry Catterick, became a dominant force domestically, winning league titles while fielding strong squads including Howard Kendall and Alan Ball.
Forest, meanwhile, was undergoing a rebuilding phase prior to Brian Clough’s legendary managerial era, which began in 1975.
During the mid-1970s, H2H encounters remained competitive, with Everton typically enjoying home advantage at Goodison Park.
Forest’s tactical transformation under Clough eventually paid dividends, turning them into a formidable side capable of matching and surpassing Everton in key fixtures.
- Key Players In The 1960s And 1970s:
- Everton: Howard Kendall, Alan Ball, Derek Temple
- Nottingham Forest: John McGovern, Peter Shilton, John Robertson
The late 1970s and 1980s marked Nottingham Forest’s golden period, highlighted by back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.
Forest’s international success elevated their H2H profile against clubs like Everton, with fixtures often closely contested despite the disparity in European recognition.
Everton, rebuilding their squad, included emerging stars like Neville Southall and Graeme Sharp, who helped maintain competitiveness in domestic league matches.
Attendance figures for these matches frequently exceeded 30,000, reflecting the importance and allure of the fixture for fans of both clubs.
During this period, H2H performance began to even out, as Forest’s tactical discipline and European experience allowed them to challenge Everton both home and away.
- Key Players In The 1980s:
- Everton: Neville Southall, Graeme Sharp, Kevin Ratcliffe
- Nottingham Forest: Peter Shilton, John Robertson, Trevor Francis
The 1990s and early 2000s brought further drama to the Everton vs Nottingham Forest rivalry.
Everton enjoyed domestic stability in the Premier League era, often finishing in the top half of the table, while Forest faced a turbulent period including relegations from the top flight.
H2H encounters during this time often reflected the shifting fortunes, with Everton generally taking the upper hand in league matches, though cup ties produced occasional surprises.
Notable Everton players included Duncan Ferguson and David Unsworth, whereas Forest relied on emerging talents such as Alan Rogers and Andy Reid to compete in challenging circumstances.
- Key Players In The 1990s And Early 2000s:
- Everton: Duncan Ferguson, David Unsworth, Tony Cottee
- Nottingham Forest: Alan Rogers, Andy Reid, Des Walker
The mid-2000s and 2010s saw a renewed competitive edge between the clubs, particularly in FA Cup and League Cup fixtures.
Everton maintained strong Premier League campaigns, often leveraging the skill of players like Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines.
Forest, while outside the top tier for extended periods, occasionally met Everton in high-stakes cup matches that produced dramatic finishes and memorable individual performances.
H2H records during cup competitions began to narrow, with Nottingham Forest managing a few notable victories that highlighted their enduring resilience and tactical approach.
- Key Players In The 2000s And 2010s:
- Everton: Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Tim Cahill
- Nottingham Forest: Chris Cohen, Garath McCleary, Andy Reid
In recent years, Everton and Nottingham Forest encounters have remained competitive, particularly in FA Cup ties and Championship clashes during Forest’s time in the second tier.
Modern Everton lineups feature players like Jordan Pickford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Forest boasts talents such as Brennan Johnson and Joe Worrall.
Attendance for modern fixtures averages around 30,000 to 35,000, reflecting sustained fan interest in these historic clashes.
H2H performance across the decades currently shows Everton with a slight edge, having secured more overall wins, though Forest’s cup exploits and occasional league victories highlight the fixture’s unpredictability.
- H2H Highlights:
- Everton holds a slight overall lead in wins
- Nottingham Forest’s European success shaped tactical approaches against Everton
- Cup fixtures often produce dramatic, unpredictable results
- Both clubs have had periods of dominance depending on league and managerial changes