Henderson showing Forest’s gain is United’s loss
EVERTON 1 NOTTM FOREST 1
NOTTINGHAM FOREST feel blessed that Manchester United loaned them england goalkeeper Dean Henderson despite having their own problems at Old Trafford.
Henderson made several fine stops at Goodison Park on saturday and was set for a second consecutive clean sheet until Demarai Gray snatched a late equaliser. It’s not only the saves that have impressed new team-mates but Henderson’s influence in the dressing room — something United boss erik ten Hag will be noting amid David de Gea’s struggles.
‘Deano is a top goalkeeper. He’s come in and imposed himself on the squad,’ explained Forest’s experienced central defender steve Cook. ‘He’s made saves, his distribution was very good today and his character is huge. He has added a lot to the changing room.’
Asked if he was surprised United allowed the 25-year-old to leave, Cook added: ‘I can only speak of what I’m seeing and yeah, definitely. The character he’s got will be a huge loss inside that dressing room but, to be honest, we are just delighted to have him with us.’
Two of Henderson’s most acrobatic leaps were to deny everton livewire Anthony Gordon who showed why he is coveted by Chelsea.
The only thing missing from Gordon’s game is goals — netting only four times in his senior career.
Manager Frank Lampard, himself a renowned goalscoring midfielder, believes that aspect of the game will come for the 21-year-old.
‘He works on his finishing most days because he is a great professional,’ said Lampard.
‘It’s not always the norm for players in their early twenties to be plundering goals. It’s a process, players can improve by working time and time again.
‘He gave us so much general output last season, the goals will come. I didn’t start to rack up big numbers until I was 23, 24.’ In an open game, the surprise was it took 81 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by newly-promoted Forest who have made 16 signings this summer.
Jordan Pickford parried a shot from substitute ryan Yates and Wales international Brennan Johnson sidefooted the rebound for his first Premier League goal.
But everton deserved a point for the way they responded with Gray tucking away a brilliant 60-yard pass from goalkeeper Pickford with only two minutes left.
It was an emotional afternoon for defender Conor Coady who made his Goodison Park debut in front of friends and family.
‘We know we are improving, we see it every day,’ he stressed. ‘We were in shape and didn’t give many chances away.’ EVERTON (3-4-3): Pickford 7; Holgate 6, Coady 7, Tarkowski 5.5; Patterson 6, Davies 6 (Onana 57min, 6), Iwobi 6, Mykolenko 7; Gray 7.5, Rondon 6 (McNeil 57, 5.5), Gordon 6.5.
Scorer: Gray 88.
Booked: Gordon, Iwobi, Onana.
Manager: Frank Lampard 6.5.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (3-4-1-2): HENDERSON 8; Worrall 6, Cook 6, McKenna 6.5; Williams 7, Mangala 6 (Yates 55, 7), O’Brien 7, Toffolo 6; Lingard 6 (Kouyate 84); Awoniyi 5.5 (Gibbs-White 61, 7), Johnson 6.5.
Scorer: Johnson 81.
Booked: Worrall, Williams.
Manager: Steve Cooper 6.5.
Referee: Andre Marriner 7.
Attendance: 39,271.