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      Arsenal head into 2025 bloodied and bruised but have the chance to invigorate their season this month

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      ARSENAL head into the New Year bloodied, bruised – but crucially, still standing.Gabriel Jesus epitomises this, subbed off in injury time at the Gtech Community Stadium with a ripped shirt, bleeding gum and a fat lip following a New Year’s Day comeback win against Brentford.Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus had his shirt ripped in a physical battle at BrentfordCredit: PABoss Mikel Arteta has the chance to kickstart his side’s season this monthCredit: AlamyIt sums up the state of Arsenal right now. The first five months of this campaign have pushed them to their limits, every game leaving its mark on the players and boss Mikel Arteta.Like a staggering boxer in the sixth round, the Gunners are dazed and weary. Suspensions, injuries, illness and damaging results have taken its toll, each one a painful jab to the stomach.And yet, at the halfway stage, Arsenal sit second in the Prem, two games away from a Carabao Cup final spot and on course to reach the Champions League knock-out stages.But the next few bouts over the next month are crucial for Arteta’s men.read more arsenalThey will either be left KO’d on the canvas or eyeing a remarkable Tyson Fury-esque fightback, teeing up a stunning and potentially historic sprint to the finish.It began at Brentford. Jesus cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike before Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli netted three minutes apart in the second half to earn three valuable points.Speaking with a swollen lip after a first half collision with the Bees’ Mikkel Damsgaard, Brazilian striker Jesus said: “That’s the Premier League. You have to compete. Sometimes it is hard to fight for the ball, sometimes it is needed.“I always play around tall guys in my position. That’s football. If [his swollen lip] happens and we win the game and I score a goal, I’ll do it every three days.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAcross Arsenal’s next 10 fixtures, they will feature in FOUR competitions. Six of the games are in N5 at the Emirates.Currently six points off Prem leaders Liverpool – who have a game in hand – there is a trip to Brighton on Saturday.Granit Xhaka reveals reason for dramatic new look with ex-Arsenal star having undergone hair transplant Then there are home clashes against Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City with a visit to Molineux to face Wolves wedged in between.There is no room for slip-ups in that run. Should Arne Slot’s Reds increase their already comfortable lead, it could be game over as far as the title is concerned.It is why there should be an added incentive in the cup competitions.Beat Newcastle over two legs in their Carabao Cup semi-final – on January 7 and February 5 – and a first major trophy since their FA Cup triumph in Covid-hit 2020 will be up for grabs.Speaking of the FA Cup, Manchester United are in town in the third round on January 12 before Champions League clashes against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona on January 22 and 29.Sat in third with four wins from six, a top eight finish in Europe’s new league phase format means they avoid the two-legged play-offs in mid-February – games Arteta could do without.Arsenal have been battling an injury crisis for what feels like most of the campaign.Right now, Bukayo Saka is battling to be back before March following hamstring surgery, as is Ben White after his own operation on a troublesome knee.A sickness bug blighted the squad to face Brentford, with Kai Havertz forced to isolate away from his teammates while several others played through the wellness barrier.It is why the recent form of Jesus has been so welcome. Having scored just once in 33 appearances, the Brazilian now has six in his last four in all competitions.The 27-year-old has also kept up an incredible record across his spells at Man City and Arsenal of never losing an English top flight match when scoring, finding the net in 62 outings, winning 57 and drawing five – the longest run in Prem history.READ MORE SUN STORIESJesus said: “I don’t look for this [record] personally. I just want to keep winning, scoring and helping the team, the club to be there always fighting for the title.“I know it is still a long way. We have to look at ourselves and then after we want the top of the league to drop points, but we have to do our jobs.” More

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      Chelsea in major Ben Chilwell transfer dilemma as they face uphill battle to offload £190k-a-week outcast

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      CHELSEA face an uphill battle to offload outcast Ben Chilwell.The England left-back, 28, earns about £190,000 a week and will not take a pay cut just to make it easy for boss Enzo Maresca to get him out.Chelsea could struggle to offload out-of-favour Ben ChilwellCredit: PAThe full-back has made just one appearance this seasonCredit: GettyThe Blues may end up having to hand their Champions League winner a huge severance deal or heavily subsidise a loan to another Prem club.Chilwell has not played a single minute of top-flight football this season and was part of the ‘bomb squad’ told last summer that they have no future at the club under Maresca.Chelsea have until February 3 to get Chilwell and others off the books in the winter transfer window.That includes £20million midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka who has started only one game since August 2023 but still has 3½ years left on his contract.READ MORE ON CHELSEAChilwell is frustrated at his lack of first-team action and unhappy at being so far down the pecking order.He has played only one half of one match this season – a 45-minute appearance as a second half sub against Barrow in the Carabao Cup back in September.Chilwell was not even registered for the club’s Conference League squad for the group stages.Maresca previously said he has sympathy with the likes of out of favour Chilwell but he does not plan to change his stance.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Italian said: “There are players that unfortunately they didn’t play a lot with us in all the competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney.“Probably they are the first that want to leave as they work every day, they train every day, they want to play games — and if they don’t play games they are thinking of leaving.Enzo Maresca’s brutal warning to Chelsea stars after Madueke dropped for Fulham defeat and summer signing axed entirely “So we’re going to see if some of them are coming to knock on the door and say I want to leave. For each player it’s a different situation.”But it will not be easy persuading the England Euro 2020 finalist to accept a pay reduction in order to quit Stamford Bridge.Chilwell joined Chelsea from Leicester in a £50million deal back in August 2020.The full-back has since amassed a total of nine goals and 12 assists in 107 appearances.Chilwell has also won the Champions League as well as the Uefa Super Cup with the Blues in 2021.Chelsea are currently paying more than £200,000 of Raheem Sterling’s £300,000-a-week wages while he is on loan at Prem rivals Arsenal.Chelsea’s Chilwell conundrumCHELSEA know only too well how there is no time for settling in new players during the January transfer window.The ink had barely dried on a then-British-record £107million deal for Enzo Fernandez before he was kitted out in blue and playing 90 minutes on his debut against Fulham in February 2023.It was precisely a week after the midfielder’s swansong for Benfica and less than two months since winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.New year signings have to hit the ground running. It was the same first time around for forward Joao Felix and for winger Mykhailo Mudryk.Which is where the forthcoming attempt to get defender Ben Chilwell out of Chelsea this month hits a major snag.The latest transfer window has just been thrown open and managers in need of a quick fix are scouring the scouting databases to see who can save their season.Chilwell, 28, has played just 45 minutes of first-team football this season — as a second-half sub in a one-sided Carabao Cup victory over League Two Barrow on September 24.Since then he has made the bench once — in the next round when Chelsea got knocked out. And that’s it.Not a single minute of Premier League action, with the first half of the season gone.It is fair to say that a player with more than 200 senior games behind him is rustier than the wreck of the Titanic stuck more than two miles down in the North Atlantic since 1912.Among the many items demanding the attention of new England manager Thomas Tuchel, who started his reign yesterday, Chilwell’s predicament must be one of the most confusing.After all the German, when manager at Stamford Bridge, felt confident enough in his ability to play his attacking left-sider for the shock victory over Manchester City in the Champions League final of 2021.Three-and-a-half years later and he might need help from the police to find his one-time first- choice full-back.On paper, Chilwell looks just the player to bolster any Premier League squad wishing to add pace and experience to its defence.For the likes of Ipswich, Wolves, Southampton, right up to Manchester United — currently missing Luke Shaw — he would be the perfect off-the-shelf cover man. There is no doubting his quality.In the fickle world of football, a player with 21 international caps is considered unsuitable by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca — and in this business that’s fair enough.But trying to market one of the most high-profile casualties of Maresca’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ is not going to be easy when it is hard to find even a photo of him in Blues kit from the past half a year.Chelsea may well end up following a similar path to that which managed to secure forward Raheem Sterling a last-minute release from mothballs at Stamford Bridge and a loan deal to Arsenal.More than two-thirds of Sterling’s £300,000-a-week wages are still being paid by his parent club.Chilwell — bought in 2020 from Leicester, where he came through the youth ranks — does not earn as much as Sterling. He picks up about£190,000 a week, which is still a hefty sum.But after six months in the doldrums, potential suitors will drive an extremely hard bargain to take a punt on an undoubted top-class footballer.However, he is  one who may need his boiler warmed up like an old locomotive before getting up to full steam.In an ideal world, Chilwell would leave permanently this month. He is surely unhappy not playing and Chelsea would like to get him off the payroll and recoup some cash in the shape of a transfer fee.But that too could be complicated. With the player under contract until 2027, he could choose to perch in the stands and sit tight for the next two and a half years —  earning nearly £25m in the process.That is unlikely. But the option is there to stick it out in the way fellow left-back Wayne Bridge did at Manchester City for four years after being frozen out. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold set for NINE-FIGURE payday if he joins Real Madrid as one of world’s best-paid players

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD is set for a £100million pay day if he joins Real Madrid.The European champions were willing to pay £20m to sign the Liverpool right-back, 26, in the current transfer window.Real Madrid are pushing to sign Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: GettyThe full-back is set for a huge pay rise if he makes the switchCredit: GettyBut Real’s decision to make their interest official is viewed as a  strategic move to ultimately land him on a free in the summer.And Alexander-Arnold is set to receive a mind-boggling sum if he puts pen to paper for Real.Real are prepared to give the England right back a hefty increase on his £180,000-a-week Anfield wages.But the real money-spinner will be the signing-on fee.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhen Kylian Mbappe moved to Real from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, he agreed a £128m golden hello – payable over his five-year contract.That was on top of annual wages of £12.8m – which equates to almost £250,000 per week.Although Alexander-Arnold will not be able to match Mbappe’s total package of £192m, he will become one of the best-paid players in the world.Reports in Spain claim the product of the Reds’ academy has told Anfield chiefs he wants to join Real and embrace a new challenge after 20 years at the club.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Merseyside sources say the club deny this and are still trying to tie down Alexander-Arnold – and fellow out-of-contract stars Salah and Virgil van Dijk – to a new deal.Real Madrid are also allegedly interested in signing William Saliba from Arsenal.Awkward Alexander-Arnold billboard showing Liverpool star posing with ex is erected in MilanHowever, last month the Frenchman gave Mikel Arteta a boost by pledging his long-term future to the Gunners.He insisted: “I feel at home here.”I signed for the club five years ago but it’s only my third season and I’m enjoying everything — the players, staff and fans.”Asked if could envisage staying at the Emirates for a long time, he replied: “Yeah, of course.” More

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      Real Madrid ‘sound out William Saliba’s entourage over world record fee to sign Arsenal star’ in shock transfer

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      ARSENAL defender William Saliba has reportedly emerged as a top transfer target for Real Madrid.The Frenchman has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s top defenders over the last two years.Real Madrid reportedly want to sign William SalibaCredit: GettyAnd his impressive form has attracted interest from some Champions League rivals.Spanish outlet SPORT claims Real Madrid could launch a bid to sign him at the end of the season.But they will likely have to fork out at least £83million for him – which would be a world record fee for a defender.The report also claims Real Madrid chiefs sounded out Saliba’s entourage and received a positive response.Read More in FootballSaliba currently has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Arsenal contract.But last month he gave Mikel Arteta a boost by pledging his long-term future to the Gunners.He insisted: “I feel at home here.”I signed for the club five years ago but it’s only my third season and I’m enjoying everything — the players, staff and fans.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAsked if could envisage staying at the Emirates for a long time, the Frenchman replied: “Yeah, of course.”Saliba is not the only man on Real Madrid’s radar.Arteta looks back on his five years managing Arsenal Los Blancos are also pushing to sign Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.The Reds turned down an approach from the La Liga giants on Tuesday.But Alexander-Arnold is now free to speak to Real Madrid officials about a potential summer move because he is within the final six months of his contract.Earlier this week, reports in Spain suggested Real are confident he will join at the end of the season. More

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      Liverpool REJECT Real Madrid bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January swoop with star set for free transfer in summer

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      LIVERPOOL have rejected an audacious swoop from Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold.The England full-back is out of contract on Merseyside in the summer. Liverpool have rejected Real Madrid’s January approach for Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold came through the youth setup at Liverpool and has been with the club since 2006. He could leave on a free transfer in the summer unless he pens a new contract and can start talks with European clubs from January 1.The 26-year-old has yet to indicate if he wishes to leave his boyhood clue for a fresh challenge.But that hasn’t stopped Madrid from targeting the Three Lions star for a shock move in January. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe offer for Alexander-Arnold from Real was a “club-to-club approach rather than a formal offer,” according to the Daily Mail.It was “rejected” out of hand by Liverpool, who hold a “desire” to keep Trent on the books. Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to sign a new right-back to bolster his injury-hit squad.Dani Carvajal looks set to miss the remainder of the season for the reigning La Liga champions, who trail rivals Atletico by one point at the summit. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMadrid have aggressively pursued free transfers in recent seasons, offering lucrative contracts to tempt stars to the Bernabeu.David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and most recently Kylian Mbappe were all signed this way. Fans hail ‘agent Jude Bellingham’ as England star is spotted with Real Madrid transfer target in nightclubEarlier this week, reports in Spain suggested Real were confident Alexander-Arnold will join at the end of the season.They wanted to secure a deal in January given their injuries, but they accept a summer transfer if it is the only option.Alexander-Arnold has played 332 times for Liverpool since making his debut almost a decade ago. He has won the Premier League, Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups and a Club World Cup with the club. Liverpool, who currently lead the Prem title race, could also lose both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk to free transfers in the summer.Both players are out of contract in May and are yet to sign a fresh deal. More

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      Newcastle ready to cash in on Kieran Trippier in January transfer as Saudi owners look to balance books

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      KIERAN TRIPPIER is poised for a Newcastle exit this month as the club’s Saudi owners look to balance the books.The former England full-back is one of the Toon’s highest earners and the club’s hierarchy are ready to cash in on the 34-year-old as they look to stick by Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.Kieran Trippier could be set to leave Newcastle in the January transfer windowCredit: GettyTrippier, who won the Spanish title with Atletico Madrid before joining Newcastle in 2021, is believed to be open to another move abroad.Clubs in Spain, Italy and Turkey have all registered interest in the set-piece specialist who won 54 England caps before retiring from international duty after last summer’s Euros.The right-back has started the last two matches for Eddie Howe’s resurgent side, including Monday’s 2-0 win at Manchester United.But he had previously been short of game time, with Howe preferring England youngster Tino Livramento at right-back.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLivramento, 22, has made 18 appearances in the Premier League this season, solidifying his spot as first-choice.The former Chelsea prospect arrived at St James’ Park in 2023 after completing a transfer worth up to £40million.Trippier still has 18 months to run on his £200,000-per-week contract and the Toon would hope to recoup around half of the £15m they paid Atletico for his services in January 2021.Trippier was the Saudis’ first signing and became a key figure as they qualified for the Champions League and reached the League Cup Final in 2023, often skippering the Magpies.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHowe would prefer to keep Trippier but the club hierarchy want to inject fresh blood and need to comply with PSR.A move abroad, rather than to a Premier League rival, would suit both club and player.Kieran Trippier’s Shocking Marital StrugglesTrippier’s career has been a stellar one – having played in a Champions League Final for Spurs and a Euros Final for England, while he is one of only three Englishmen to have scored in a World Cup semi-final, alongside Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker.Meanwhile, star striker Alexander Isak is also being linked with a move away from St James’ Park.The Swedish international is a target of both Arsenal and Chelsea.However, Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of Isak and would demand at least £150m.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Jamie Carragher reveals his 2025 predictions including title winner and how long it will take Amorim to fix Man Utd

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER believes only an injury crisis can stop Liverpool from winning the Premier League title. The Sky pundit has backed his former team to pip Arsenal to top spot in May. Jamie Carragher has given his predictions for 2025 across the world of footballCredit: AlamyArne Slot’s Liverpool are setting the pace in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyCarragher spent his entire 17-year career with Liverpool, appearing over 500 times for the club. The 46-year-old never lifted the Premier League trophy during his time at Anfield.But he believes Arne Slot’s juggernaut are all but unstoppable this season, fresh from another thumping win on the road against West Ham. Writing in The Telegraph, Carragher claims “Chelsea are not quite ready to become champions.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe goes on to predict that “Liverpool will pip Arsenal into second place.”Carragher adds: “My only worry for Liverpool is if they pick up injuries to their big players. “If they can avoid them, they will be difficult to catch.”The former England defender also believes Manchester City will put their recent dismal form behind them and finish fourth.Most read in FootballPep Guardiola’s men won just their second game in 14 matches against Leicester on Sunday. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOn the other side of Manchester, Carragher is not convinced Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution is yet to get out of the planning stage.The Portuguese coach has seen his team win just four times in 10 games, along with five defeats. Gary Neville throws DRINK over Carragher after Liverpool blow Newcastle lead as fans say ‘he was gonna go for him there’Carragher said: “Ruben Amorim has a bigger job with a blank canvas.”He will need more time and patience, especially in getting underperforming players on big contracts out of the club. “What is happening at United right now is to be expected – a few good results mixed with reminders as to why they needed a new coach.”Despite United’s woes on and off the field, Carragher is convinced Amorim is the right man for the job.Carragher believes Ruben Amorim will come good at UnitedCredit: PAMan Utd ratings vs WolvesBy Ken LawrenceWOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.Here is how SunSport rated the performances…ANDRE ONANA: 4He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.LENY YORO: 5Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.HARRY MAGUIRE: 6The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.MANUEL UGARTE: 5Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.KOBBIE MAINOO: 5Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.DIOGO DALOT: 6Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.AMAD DIALLO: 5Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.BRUNO FERNANDES: 3Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.RASMUS HOJLUND: 5Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.SUBSCasemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5He reckons the Red Devils will be a “better, more consistent team by December 2025, especially when Amorim has a full pre-season and new players to implement his ideas.”Carragher was also asked to name his Champions League winner – but hedged his bets.The 2005 winner believes either Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Madrid will lift Big Ears come May. He added: “No one wants to draw Real in the knockout phase because it does not matter how poorly they are playing, they always find a way to get through.”Bayern also look good and are always in contention by the latter stages. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And then, of course, there is Liverpool, who have a 100 per cent win record so far. “They are the four sides everyone else will want to avoid.” More

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      Everton 0 Nottingham Forest 2: Red hot visitors keep European charge going thanks to goals from Wood and Gibbs-White

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      THE RISE and rise of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side just got more spectacular thanks to fine strikes from Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White.Their goals produced a Nottingham Forest record – the first time in the Premier League era that they have won five games in a row.Nottingham Forest picked up their fifth consecutive victory against EvertonCredit: ReutersChris Wood opened the scoring for Forest in the first halfCredit: GettyMorgan Gibbs-White sealed the three points for ForestCredit: ReutersForest lost Murillo to an injury during the pre-match warm-upCredit: AlamyThe Tricky Trees also occupy a stunning second place in the table.The surprise team of the season might not still be there by the end of the night but even getting that high halfway through the season remains a massive testament to the way Nuno has made them very real Champions League candidates.He had to deal with what looked like a major blow after defensive rock Murillo was forced to pull out in the warm up.Winger Ramon Sosa replaced him with midfielder Nico Williams dropping to left-back in a rebuild back-four.Read More on FootballBut no problem. Forest’s players are a proper unit, composed, hardworking and, above all, believers.And no supporter of the club would be surprised if Nuno were to walk across the River Trent.The reincarnation of Brian Clough he may not be but still, that’s how much those fans believe in him too in his bid to bring back the glory days of “Ol Big Head.”The rear guard that actually suffered from the start was Everton’s – no thanks to sloppy work from the midfield ahead of them – and they never got over it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJames Tarkowski picked up an eighth-minute yellow card for flying through Sosa after losing control of the ball then twice lost Wood, the Kiwi firing wide from decent positions both times.But even in those opening moments it was clear the big striker fancied his chances and in the 15th minute he proved it.Aina shows off his left foot declaring, ‘It’s still hot!!!’Once again the home side lost the ball in a failed attacking scramble and Gibbs-White didn’t hesitate.He went instant and long, finding Wood with a 40-yard pass but if that part of the move was basic what followed was poetic.The striker headed sideways to Anthony Elanga who replied in kind as Jordan Pickford dashed off his line and clipped a right-footed volley perfectly over the advancing England No1.That was his 11th strike of the season and the numbers looked good in a different way too.Forest scored first 14 times in this campaign before arriving at Goodison Park and won nine of those games.They absolutely deserved to be ahead, too against a Sean Dyche side that other than a brief early spurt from the electric Iliman Ndiaye had started flat and formless.Forest eyeing European qualificationTheir approach will have mystified home fans given that the Toffees should have been on something of a high after navigating their way to three successive draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.The Merseysiders had lost only one of their last seven games and Dyche attempted to perk them up further by replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin – no goals in 13 straight games – with Armando Broja.Yet in his first start the bustling Albania international, on loan from Chelsea, became a bit like the striker dumped to the bench – a passenger looking on as his team-mates struggled to put a footprint on the game.Forest spent the first half showing exactly why making it to the Champions League is now much more than a dream no Tricky Trees fan would have had at the start of the campaign.They may not be the prettiest team to watch, although that Wood goal was a stunner.But Nuno has them organised, sure of themselves and they can break brilliantly.Everton bereft of ideasThat loss of Murillo in the warm-up didn’t disturb them nor did the absence of skipper Ryan Yates.Meanwhile Dyche’s players, the resourceful Ndiaye apart, just try to grind their way through games with little or no art.They were completely bereft of ideas during a first half that really only underlined that new owners The Friedkin Group have to come up with some transfer dosh next month to bring in badly-needed new inspiration.Dyche replaced Jack Harrison, one of those guilty of ceding possession, for another winger in Jesper Lindstrom but his side looked no less desperate.And Jarrad Branthwaite got very lucky in the 54th minute.He dived into a challenge on Gibbs-White, wearing the armband with Yates suspended, and while the centre-half missed connection with his left leg he clattered into the playmaker with his right.Defensive woesThe fact that he got some of the ball prompted referee Tony Harrington to brandish only a yellow but the defender will still have breathed a sigh of relief.No such luck for his manager Dyche as Gibbs-White produced the killer blow and while his 61st minute finish was impeccable it came only as a result of more tawdry work by the Toffees.Abdoulaye Doucoure mindlessly gifted Elanga possession 30 yards out and the former Manchester United attacker immediately found Wood on the edge of the box.He despatched rapidly across to Gibbs-White who coolly side-stepped a desperate bid for salvation from Doucoure to leave Pickford for dead from ten yards.It could have got worse for the keeper too after he spilled a shot from Sosa before saving his blushes with a double save.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut it was never going to get any better for him and his team that took 81 minutes to get a shot on target.They simply got lost amongst those Tricky Trees.Nottingham Forest’s European dream remains aliveCredit: Alamy More