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Morgan Gibbs-White And Igor Jesus’ sentence was sealed nottingham forest First European win in 30 years sean dyche Started with a much-needed 2-0 win against porto,
has achieved a long-awaited continental comeback under Nuno Espirito Santo and led in his first two Europa League by sports Ange PostecoglouThe Reds’ first win in the competition came under their third manager of the season.
Dyche’s team showed promise, fight and panache on Thursday evening as captain Gibbs-White and striker Jesus’ spot-kicks ended Forest’s 10-game winless streak in all competitions and portoUnbeaten start to the season.
It was encouraging for the two-time European Cup winners and the City Ground celebrated a first win in the continental competition since November 1995.
Gibbs-White showed composure to put Forest ahead from the spot after Jan Bednarek’s handball saw the equalizer early in the second half ruled out for offside in the build-up.
In addition VAR intervention helped Dyche’s team calm growing nerves, with Jesus – who scored both goals in the 2-2 draw at Real Betis on the opening night – converting his second penalty of the evening.
It was a memorable night at the City Ground, starting with a rapturous welcome from Dyche and his coaching staff, including Forest favorites Steve Stone and Ian Voan.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was one of three changes for Forest and he was first to test Diogo Costa, forcing the Porto goalkeeper to make a save from 20 yards and then saw an effort deflected in from the resulting corner.
Forest were making life uncomfortable through intensity and physicality which helped them earn a penalty, with former Southampton defender Bednarek tackled while attempting to beat Jesus in the air.
Gibbs-White took the ball after a VAR check and converted a 19th-minute penalty to send Costa the wrong way, the ruthlessly ambitious Forest boss. Evangelos Marinakis There was applause in the stands.
It was the third goal conceded by Porto this season and the hosts stopped the Portuguese league leaders’ attempt to counterattack before the break.
Diligent defending and solid play kept them at bay, with Matze Sales making a save that was almost as impressive as Alan Varela’s long-range effort was audacious.
Pablo Rosario fired a ball wide at the end of the first half which Oleksandr Zinchenko could not meet as Nicolo Savona limped off to replace the left-back.
Porto came back strongly from the break and silenced the City Ground immediately after the restart.
A short corner ultimately ended with a cross sent into the box, where Bednarek took advantage of the hosts’ inability to slam home and sprint towards the jubilant traveling crowd.
But those celebrations proved short-lived as VAR ruled that Samu had strayed in the build-up.
It was a frustrating situation for Forest and the game dragged on as Porto demanded a leveller.
Sales parried Gabriel Veiga’s corner and Hudson-Odoi had an effort blocked at the other end, before Forest substitute Savona was adjudged to have dived into the box.
But VAR sent referee Radu Petrescu to the monitors and a penalty was awarded for Martim Fernandes’ challenge.
Jesus took the penalty instead of Gibbs-White and the Brazil international scored midway through the 77th minute.
Dyche’s team cleverly closed out the rest of the game, with the men in red roaring at the final whistle.