Sean Dyche off to perfect start as Forest end 67-day drought with Porto win | OneFootball

Manager Sean Dyche began his reign at Nottingham Forest with a 2-0 victory over Porto in the Europa League at the City Ground on Thursday.

Dyche was announced as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement earlier this week and made an immediate impact.

Forest began the game on the front foot with Morgan Gibbs-White combining with midfield partner Elliot Anderson, who fired over the top.

Callum Hudson-Odoi registered the hosts’ first shot on target in the 17th minute, forcing goalkeeper Diogo Costa to make a save.

Moments later, the former Chelsea man’s effort was deflected as Forest continued to probe for the opener.

The breakthrough came in the 19th minute, when Gibbs-White scored from the penalty spot.

Forest then relinquished possession to Porto, but they failed to create any clear-cut chances before the break.

Samu Aghehowa thought he had put the Portuguese side back on level terms after the break, only for his effort to be ruled offside.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels had to be alert in the 67th minute, palming an attempt away before it crept under the bar.

Forest were awarded a penalty after Martim Fernandes was deemed to have brought down Nicola Savona. Igor Jesus stepped up to double Forest’s lead.

William Gomes came close to halving the deficit for the Portuguese side, but Nikola Milenkovic’s vital block prevented his effort from troubling Sels.

Forest were able to see out the rest of the game comfortably, earning their first win in the Europa League and their first across all competitions since August 17.

The victory gives Forest a huge lift under Dyche as they look to build momentum for the rest of the season.