Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest: Five reasons why Nuno’s side will stay the course

The Premier League table has a retro feel about it at half-time.

Liverpool’s winning machine under Arne Slot leads the way, but it is their closest current challengers who have sprung the real surprise.

With 19 games played, Nottingham Forest finished second and battled the Reds, similar to when they locked horns for silverware in the late 1970s and during the 80s.

Forest beat Everton 2-0 on Sunday with their fans leaving Goodison Park and heading back to the Midlands chanting “we’re gonna win the league”.

Making ‘a Leicester City’ and claiming the trophy would be an improvement, especially since it would require a significant collapse from Liverpool.

But, for now, they were drinking in every moment.

“We are enjoying it,” said boss Nuno Espirito Santo on their position in the league. “We’re having a lot of fun because our fans are having fun.

“This is what we have to do together, we will enjoy the journey, compete in every match.

Here, BBC Sport looks at five reasons why Forest can hold on to a top-four finish.