Everton beat Nottingham Forest in wake of record points deduction

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Everton launched its rebuilding job after the record points deduction for financial mismanagement by winning at Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the English Premier League thanks to Dwight McNeil's second-half goal on Saturday.

Everton was plunged into the relegation mire as a result of the 10-point penalty for breaching the league's financial rules, and stayed there following a 3-0 loss to Manchester United last week that was inspired by Alejandro Garnacho's sensational overhead kick.

However, the team built on an encouraging display against United by outplaying Forest, and got the goal the performance merited when a cross from the right found McNeil at the back post and the midfielder lashed a diagonal shot into the top corner in the 67th minute.

Everton jumped to third-to-last place on seven points and within two of Luton, which occupied the spot above the relegation zone.

The visiting fans continued their protests against the sanction the club received, holding up pink cards featuring the word “corrupt” and the logo of the Premier League.

Forest, which struggled without injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi, was jeered off by its fans and has just one win in its last 10 games in the league. With four losses in his team's last five matches, manager Steve Cooper has come under pressure even though Forest was six points above the bottom three.

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