'Refereeing is in the gutter!' - Nottingham Forest fans outraged after being denied three penalties in crucial clash against fellow Premier League relegation candidates Everton

Everton deepened Forest's relegation worries with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday thanks to goals in either half from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil. While the scoreline would suggest a comfortable victory, the visitors were denied three penalties in this relegation six-pointer. First, Ashley Young appeared to kick Giovanni Reyna's foot in the box, then a cross hit Young's outstretched arm in the area, and then Callum Hudson-Odoi went down under pressure from Young but again, Forest didn't get the call they desired. Unsurprisingly, their supporters were livid that referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR team did not award them any spot kicks.

On X, Chris Kearney tweeted: "VAR has made 3 of the quickest penalty checks in Premier League history here. Every single one of them they’ve got wrong. Wp (Well played) Stuart Attwell."

Tom Garrett commented: "Forest have been robbed of a stone wall penalty there 🤣🤣🤣 what is the point of VAR??"

Dan Goodall posted: "I honestly think there’s a vendetta against Forest mind. How they haven’t had a penalty today is beyond me," while Viktor Fagerstrom put: "Forest aren't getting a penalty in this game. Ref simply made up his mind before the game. It's the only explanation."

Finally, Jam added: "OMG, refereeing in England is in the gutter. Nottingham Forest should have had 3 penalties against Everton. All Ashley Young. Pathetic."

The result means Everton are five points clear of the relegation zone, plus they have a game in hand on 18th-placed Luton Town. Forest, meanwhile, are one point clear of the bottom three and missed a big chance to take a giant leap towards safety - although their fans would argue they were let down by the officials.

This season, Everton have been docked eight points for two separate profit and sustainability rule breaches, while Forest picked up a four-point deduction in March for a similar offence, too. Both sides are hoping to regain some points on appeal.

Sean Dyche's Everton side host Merseyside rivals and Premier League title challengers Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday whereas Forest entertain defending champions Manchester City next Sunday.