Nottingham Forest began the Sean Dyche era in impressive fashion as a pair of penalties gave them a 2-0 Europa League win over Porto.
Having replaced Ange Postecoglou this week to become the third manager of the season for Forest, Dyche faced a tough opening test against a Porto side that went into the game unbeaten this campaign.
But Morgan Gibbs-White’s spot-kick gave Forest an opening goal their start merited in the 19th minute, and Igor Jesus seal victory when he converted from 12 yards in the 77th minute.
The win is Forest’s first in European football since 1995 and their first at the City Ground since their triumph against Brentford on the opening day of the season. After the misery of Postecoglou’s brief tenure, Forest will hope this is the start of a turnaround under former youth player Dyche.
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Forest’s fast start rewarded
Forest started brightly and Callum Hudson-Odoi was unfortunate not to give them the lead as he was denied by Diogo Costa before seeing another effort deflected behind.
But Forest were rewarded for their attacking endeavour when former Southampton defender Jan Bednarek handled in the area, enabling Gibbs-White to step up and fire into the bottom-left corner.
Porto, having gone behind for the first time this season, were blunt as an attacking force in response.
Alan Varela did test Matz Sels with a long-range effort, but it wasn’t until the second half that Porto began to look a threat.
VAR denies Porto, before Forest make points safe
Six minutes into the second half Porto appeared to have their leveller, with Bednarek turning in after Forest failed to clear a corner.
However, VAR ruled that Samu Aghehowa had interfered with play from an offside position in the build-up, raising a cheer from the raucous crowd in the City Ground.
And they had more to cheer after Martim Fernandes brought down Nicolo Savona in the area.
Referee Radu Petrescu initially booked Savona for simulation, but reversed his decision after VAR advised him to go to the screen, enabling Igor Jesus to wrap up the points with his first goal for the club.
The Brazilian coolly slotted his penalty down the middle, securing a win that should give Forest confidence ahead of a tricky trip to high-flying Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
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