Nottingham Forest twice came from behind to rescue what could prove to be a crucial Premier League point after a pulsating 2-2 draw with Everton
Goals weren't potentially on the agenda for many at the City Ground with both sides struggling to score in recent weeks, but a pulsating first half saw Demarai Gray give Everton the lead from the spot (10) after Dwight McNeil was fouled by Jonjo Shelvey before Brennan Johnson found an instant equaliser for Forest (19)
Abdoulaye Doucoure, , showed his importance to Sean Dyche's side when he headed them back in front to score his first goal since September 2021
With so much at stake for both sides, the second half began in feisty fashion with tackles flying in and numerous bookings being dished out, but in the end, it was Johnson who kept his composure as his fine finish sealed a share of the spoils and stretched Forest's unbeaten run at the City Ground to nine matches
Forest boss Cooper was delighted with his side's response, especially after their 4-0 defeat to West Ham last weekend as well
He told: "There's a lot to be pleased about
 Obviously, we're disappointed with the goals we conceded
 Everton started brighter than us, but I like the fact we came back twice in the game especially after what happened last week [lost 0-4 at West Ham]
"We definitely deserved at least a draw, but we also need to know we have to do better with the goals conceded
The draw sees Everton stay in the relegation zone and they remain four points behind Forest, who stay 14th
Despite letting a lead slip late in the second-half, Everton boss Dyche believes his side have something to continue to build on
He told : "You've got to be reality-bound
 We've a work in progress, we're continuing the good work on the training pitch, we're taking it into performances
 Nowhere is easy in the Premier League
"I've been encouraged since I got to the club with the way the players have responded, the way they are taking on the challenge
"The pressure was firmly on Everton going into the game with Dyche's side knowing defeat would see them drop seven points behind Nottingham Forest
However, it didn't show with Everton starting the better of the two sides and they were rewarded with an eighth-minute penalty after Jonjo Shelvey tripped Dwight McNeil
After a lengthy wait to check a Doucoure handball in the build-up to the foul, Gray converted from the spot, sending Keylor Navas the wrong way
Forest responded well to going behind and they were level in the 19th minute after piling the pressure on Everton
 Johnson was alert and he pounced to fire home the rebound after Morgan Gibbs-White's shot had been pushed away by Jordan Pickford
Forest were on top and pushing for a second but it was Everton that regained their lead, and it came against the run of play
 Michael Keane won the first header from a set-piece Doucoure stole in to head home from close rangeNow it was Everton on top and they had chances to extend their lead before the break, but Navas tipped over McNeil's powerful drive, while Gray saw a shot blocked at the far post as the visitors ended the first half with the lead
After the break, the pressure cranked up on both sets of players as an ill-tempered affair unfolded, with several confrontations and rash tackles after the break
The frequent pauses in play helped Everton, who were happy to see the clock run down, while Forest were frustrated as they struggled to build any momentum
The visitors looked untroubled and in control as they looked to see out the game, but Forest found an equaliser out of nowhere in the 77th minute
Substitute Ryan Yates found space down the right and he pulled it back to Johnson, who was unmarked in the area, and he steered the ball into the top corner to set up a grandstand finish
He almost had a match-winning hat-trick in the final minutes but drifted an effort just wide from a tight angle as the game ended all square
 "Brennan Johnson has really showcased his talents today
 He can dribble, he can cross, he can score goals
 His second goal today, with the composure and intelligence of his positioning, was outstanding
" "It's a class finish
 He knows exactly what he's going to do with it
 He doesn't try to smash it and places it, blindsiding the goalkeeper as he plays it around the Everton defender
 That's the mark of a real cool finisher
""I'm very pleased with the away performance because there has been a lot of noise about the away performances of this football club, with me and before me
 I think we've had a couple of tough games away and then coming here - I'm not saying it's not tough because these have a good home record - we really wanted to take the game on and I think we did
 If we don't make a mistake for their second goal and we come away with a win and we get a penalty, which I was very surprised at, then I think that's a really good away peformance
"There's a lot to like with the performance today - the energy, the commitment
 You've got to remember we played Arsenal; forget the scoreline, that was a big, physical shift playing down there, the lads have put another one in today
 That will keep us getting stronger, keep increasing the mentality of the side to come away from home and win games
""I've been encouraged since I got to the club with the way the players have responded, the way they are taking on the challenge
""I am disappointed with the referee, but we'll reflect on it
 I thought he got lots of decisions wrong
 He will know that, and he will probably have to explain his performance as well
 It's a pity things like that ended up having an impact on the game
"You want to win or lose with what the opponent does - not the officials
 The lads are a bit disappointed they didn't win but they gave everything and showed courage
" travel to  in the Premier League next Saturday at 3pm before hosting  on March 17 at 8pm, live on 
Up next for  is a Premier League home game against  next Saturday at 3pm
 Sean Dyche's side then travel to  on March 18 at 5
30pm, live on 
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