Vitor Pereira enjoyed a perfect start to his reign at Nottingham Forest, as his side cruised to a 3-0 victory over Fenerbahçe in the first leg of their Europa League knockout play-off.
Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White secured a commanding win in Turkey, allowing Pereira to rest key players late on.
Forest took the lead in the 21st minute when Murillo dribbled through the defence before rifling a low strike into the bottom-right corner. Fenerbahce had earlier seen Mert Müldür head over and were later denied a penalty after a VAR review ruled that the ball struck Murillo’s arm while it was by his side.
The visitors doubled their advantage before half-time as Jesus headed home from close range after Gibbs-White flicked on a corner. Five minutes into the second half, Jesus turned provider, squaring for Gibbs-White, who squeezed his effort through the legs of Ederson despite losing his balance.
Chances fell at both ends, with Marco Asensio denied by Stefan Ortega and Callum Hudson-Odoi kept out by Ederson, but Forest comfortably maintained their three-goal cushion ahead of the return leg at the City Ground on February 26.
Pereira Praises Team Quality
Speaking after the match, Pereira lauded his players’ performance.
“The quality of the players [I liked the most]. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch. They did it,” he said.
“We had a chance to score two more goals. It was a very good result. It is only half-time; we need
to be consistent. The schedule is tight and difficult. Everyone must be ready to help the team.
“It was a consistent game for us. We deserved the result.”
Appointed just four days earlier, Pereira ended Forest’s three-game winless streak and put them firmly in control of the tie as they eye a potential round-of-16 clash against either Real Betis or Midtjylland.
