Smirking Young TROLLS Forest ahead of Merseyside derby after VAR rant

Everton were involved in one of the most controversial games of the season this weekend, just three days before the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. 

The Toffees have eased their relegation fears in recent weeks, earning seven points from their last four Premier League fixtures, and have a game in hand over many of their drop-zone rivals for good measure. 

On Sunday, they secured a vital victory against Nottingham Forest, winning 2-0 in front of their home fans, with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Dwight McNeil netting a goal in each half. 

However, that wasn’t half of the story as Forest took to social media following the game, threatening to “consider its options” in light of three penalty appeals that were turned down by matchday official Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Atwell. 

“Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept,” a post read Forest’s official account on X, formerly, Twitter. 

“We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. 

“NFFC will now consider its options.”

Everton veteran Ashley Young was at the centre of all three penalty claims, first appearing to catch the back of Gio Reyna’s foot while attempting to play a ball inside the area. 

The ball then struck the Serie A winner’s hand off a Reyna cross, although the officials deemed that Young’s arm was in a natural position. 

To cap it off, the defender then wiped out Callum Hudson-Odoi as he bore down on goal, with the gameday officials moving on quickly without offering Forest a spot-kick. 

It is a game that could have serious repercussions in the race for survival, with Everton seeking to make up for an eight-point deduction for profit and sustainability rules breaches and Forest losing four points over a similar issue. Both teams are currently in the appeals process. 

Following the game, the question of Forest’s appeals were put to Young by Everton’s in-house media team with the former England winger claiming that the officials got every call “spot on” and also bemoaning Forest’s players for their attempts to claim penalties.  

“All of them were right,” the 38-year-old said. “None of them were given, were they?”

“I think they were claiming for everything and, obviously, we were talking during the game and I think the referee was spot on.”

Young followed up on the furore on Monday morning, igniting Forest fans's ire with a snarky post on X.

Everton now have a chance to dent their Merseyside rivals’ title hopes, with the Reds requiring all three points to keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.