In great difficulty this season, Everton gave comfort to its supporters by winning its “replay” of the FA Cup against Crystal Palace (1-0), entering the 4th round like Nottingham Forest, difficult winner of a D3, Blackpool, in overtime. The Liverpool “Toffees” will host Luton at the end of January, another club fighting to stay in the Premier League, for a rare brightening in a dark season.
Everton won their first victory since December 16 in all competitions on Wednesday and scored their first goal since December 27 on a superb direct free kick from Andre Gomes (42nd). The club are seventeenth in the Premier League table after having ten points deducted for financial offenses committed during the 2021-22 season. He faces an additional penalty for also breaking financial rules in 2022-23.
Almost a neighbor of Everton in the standings, Nottingham Forest (15th) suffered to get rid of Blackpool, eighth in League One (3rd div.). Nuno Espirito Santo’s team won 3-2 with a goal from Chris Wood scored in the 110th minute in extra time. On January 7, Forest trailed by two goals at home, before coming back to level with their visitors (2-2). Wednesday for the match to be replayed, Forest let slip a two-goal advantage to the “Tangerines”, although weakened by the injury of their goalkeeper at the hour of play. Blackpool had a golden opportunity at the end of added time ( 90th 9), without converting it.
Another D3 team, Bristol Rovers also almost caused a surprise by leading 1-0 at half-time against Norwich (D2). But the “Canaries” scored three goals in the second half (3-1) to face Liverpool, the current Premier League leader, on January 28 at Anfield.
