Report, result and goals as Dyche era begins with Europa League victory

Nottingham Forest started the Sean Dyche era in impressive fashion as two penalties gave them a 2-0 Europa League win over Porto.

Having replaced Ange Postecoglou This week, to become Forest's third manager of the season, Dyche faced a tough opening test against a Porto side who were unbeaten this campaign.

But Morgan Gibbs-White's spot-kick gave Forest a deserved first goal in the 19th minute, and Igor Jesus sealed the victory when he converted from 12 yards in the 77th minute.

The win was Forest's first in European football since 1995 and their first at the City Ground since their triumph over Brentford on the opening day of the season. After the misery of Postecoglou's brief tenure, Forest are hoping this will be the start of a turnaround under former youth player Dyche.

Forest's fast start rewarded

Forest started brightly and Callum Hudson-Odoi was unlucky 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 efforts when former Southampton defender Jan Bednarek manipulated the area, allowing Gibbs-White to cut in and fire into the bottom left corner.

Porto, trailing for the first time this season, were brutal as an attacking force in response.

Alan Varela tested Matz Sels with a long-range shot, but it was not until the second half that Porto began to appear a threat.

VAR denies Porto, before Forest saves the points

Six minutes into the second half Porto looked to have their equalizer, Bednarek turning 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, drawing cheers from the noisy City Ground crowd.

And they had even more reason to celebrate after Martim Fernandes brought down Nicolo Savona in the box.

Referee Radu Petrescu had initially booked Savona for simulation, but reversed his decision after VAR advised him to go to the screen, allowing Igor Jesus to wrap up the points with his first goal for the club.

The Brazilian calmly slotted his penalty into the middle, securing a victory which should give Forest confidence ahead of a tricky trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.