Walter Smith, who won all the big prizes in an era of unprecedented success with Rangers, tasted his first triumph in English football last night when his fellow Scot Duncan Ferguson, who shared some of the Ibrox silverware but who is now rumoured to have a short Goodison future, scored twice at the City Ground. They were the first goals from any Everton player this season.

Forest were a major disappointment for a side who harboured hopes before the start of the game that they would become the new leaders of the Premiership.

They persisted with just a single striker until Ferguson broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. His superbly struck second, 12 minutes later, rendered Dave Bassett's belated tactical change, a futile gesture.

At least Everton have gone back to a more cultured approach under their new manager which can only be to the liking of those Merseysiders who have grown tired of a reliance in recent seasons on mundane midfielders who can tackle and bite but struggle when it comes to the art of passing the ball.

In Olivier Dacourt and John Collins they possess two central midfielders who, while outnumbered by their opponents last night, nevertheless retained the composure and vision to put Forest under pressure. In their first serious advance Dacourt nicely weighted his through pass to send Michael Ball in on goal but the finish lacked both quality and power.

As the lone attacker in a home side Jean Claude Darcheville was set a mighty challenge to show that he is the natural successor to Pierre van Hooijdonk. It was a strange tactic given Everton's limited success so far this season but it had worked for them against Southampton when Darcheville had scored his first goal for the club he has joined on loan until the end of the season. And at least now the midfield area was refreshed with younger legs willing to give him the support he so desperately needs.

In for their debut appearances came Bassett's recent signings, Nigel Quashie and Andy Gray and the latter's readiness to try and take on his marker and find some space was a sporadic feature of a first half which produced precious few chances.

Darcheville responded to Ball's early attempt with a sharp, instinctive shot that rose too high but Everton just held the upper hand and had the ball in the net in the 24th minute through Ferguson.

However, in gathering Ferguson's initial header and guiding the ball back to him, Nick Barmby used his hands and was rightly penalised.

Ferguson came close when he spotted that Dave Beasant had strayed from his line. As the half petered out, Thomas Myhre was almost embarrassed when Quashie, who clearly needs time to come to terms with the pace of the Premiership, drove one in from 25 yards.

Forest declined the opportunity to make a change and their shortcomings were emphasised again when Darcheville, thanks to a fortuitous rebound, was given the chance to stretch the Everton rearguard, but nothing came from a promising opening.

The visitors continued to look comfortable and drew more encouragement as Forest became increasingly ragged with their distribution.

Their discipline was wavering as well and when Quashie was drawn into an impetuous foul, Everton took gleeful advantage by transferring play quickly to the left for a move which saw them go in front.

Ball was the instigator and when he flighted over his cross Ferguson was there ahead of Steve Chettle to nod the ball home.

Bassett believed his defensive formation was working: "I thought the game had all the hallmarks of a 0-0 - I couldn't see them scoring and I couldn't see us scoring. Everton weren't particularly adventurous - it was an hour before they had their first shot on target."

Nottingham Forest: Beasant, Rogers (Lyttle 70), Quashie (Harewood 80), Chettle, Stone, Johnson, Armstrong, Thomas, Bonalair, Darcheville, Gray (Freedman 80). Subs Not Used: Crossley, Edwards. Booked: Thomas, Quashie, Chettle, Harewood.

Everton: Myhre, Cleland, Ball, Dacourt, Watson, Unsworth, Collins, Barmby (Cadamarteri 66), Ferguson (Thomas 88), Hutchinson, Materazzi. Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Farrelly, Jevons. Booked: Ferguson, Hutchison, Collins. Goals: Ferguson 73, 83.

Referee: R Harris (Oxford).