Fenerbahce 0-3 Nottingham Forest: Report, result and goals as Tricky Trees thrash Turkish giants

Nottingham Forest took a commanding step toward the Europa League last-16 with a 3-0 first-leg vwin over Fenerbahce in Istanbul, delivering a composed and clinical performance in Vitor Pereira’s first match in charge.

In a hostile atmosphere at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Forest settled immediately and controlled possession from the opening minutes.

Their early pressure forced Milan Skriniar into a booking for bringing down Callum Hudson-Odoi, and the visitors continued to probe, with Omari Hutchinson and Morgan Gibbs-White heavily involved between the lines.

Fenerbahce threatened first from a set-piece when Mert Muldur rose unmarked from a corner but headed over, yet that proved a brief warning rather than a shift in momentum.

Forest soon took the lead in the 21st minute through a moment of individual quality. Receiving the ball from Elliot Anderson, centre-back Murillo drove forward from deep before unleashing a low left-footed strike from distance that arrowed into the bottom corner beyond Ederson.

The goal reinforced Forest’s control. Gibbs-White nearly doubled the advantage when he headed straight at the goalkeeper, while Igor Jesus also saw a shot blocked after racing clear amid protests from the home players.

Fenerbahce appealed for a penalty when a Talisca effort struck Murillo’s arm, but the referee waved play on and VAR confirmed the defender’s arm was in a natural position.

Forest’s second goal arrived two minutes before the interval and again came from a set-piece. Gibbs-White flicked a corner on at the near post and Jesus reacted quickest at the far side, heading in his seventh Europa League goal of the campaign to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Fenerbahce attempted to respond immediately after the restart. Within seconds Cherif forced Ortega into his first save with a sharp half-volley, and Marco Asensio later tested him with an inventive back-heel effort.

Instead, Forest effectively settled the tie in the 50th minute. Hutchinson clipped a pass over the defence, releasing both Jesus and Gibbs-White.

The striker unselfishly squared for his captain, who stumbled as he shot but still managed to squeeze the ball underneath Ederson for Forest’s third goal following a VAR check for offside.

From that point the visitors played with complete control. Their supporters could be heard celebrating as the team circulated possession, while Fenerbahce struggled to create clear openings.

Asensio fired a free-kick wide and later chances were limited to crosses cleared by Murillo and company.

Forest almost added a fourth late on when Nicolas Domínguez fired over after a defensive mistake and Neco Williams forced Ederson into a low save at the near post.

Fenerbahce now have a mountain to climb in Nottingham next week.