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Dyche makes winning start at Nottingham Forest
AP • October 24th, 2025 11:47 am
Sean Dyche | Photo: AP
Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus have sealed Nottingham Forest a first European victory in 30 years as life under Sean Dyche began with a much-needed 2-0 win against Porto.
Having secured a long-awaited continental return under Nuno Espirito Santo and been led in their first two Europa League games by Ange Postecoglou, the Reds' first win in the competition came under their third manager of the season.
Dyche's side showed promise, fight as spot-kicks from skipper Gibbs-White and striker Jesus ended Forest's 10-game winless streak in all competitions and Porto's unbeaten start to the season.
It was a shot in the arm for the two-time European Cup winners as Forest celebrated a first victory in continental competition since November 1995.
Gibbs-White put Forest ahead from the spot by keeping his cool after a handball by Jan Bednarek, who saw an equaliser early in the second half ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Further VAR intervention helped Dyche's side settle growing nerves with Jesus, who scored both goals in the 2-2 draw at Real Betis on the opening night, converting the second penalty of the evening.
It was a memorable night at the City Ground, which started with Dyche and his coaching staff, including Forest favourites Steve Stone and Ian Woan, receiving a wonderful welcome.
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In Deventer, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says his side have to become more clinical from the penalty spot after a shock defeat to Dutch minnows Go Ahead Eagles.
Emiliano Buendia blazed over from the spot in the 77th minute as Villa squandered an early lead to suffer a 2-1 humbling in Deventer.
Evann Guessand put them on course for a sixth successive win in all competitions, but they missed a host of chances to kill the game and came unstuck as goals from Mathis Suray and Mats Deijl either side of halftime gave Go Ahead a famous victory in one of the biggest games in their history.
It was Villa's sixth missed penalty in the last 12 months, with Ollie Watkins missing against Bologna earlier this season, while they also lost a penalty shootout to Brentford in the Carabao Cup last month.
"Today the responsibility was for Emiliano Buendia," he said. "And normally he has good numbers shooting penalties, but he missed."
"We will try to get more clinical in the penalty shoot than the last penalties we have had."
In Bergen, Danny Rohl endured a sobering debut as Rangers head coach with him apologising to travelling Gers fans following their 3-0 defeat by Brann in Bergen.
The 36-year-old German was installed as Russell Martin's successor on Monday after beating Australian Kevin Muscat to the job, but there was no quick fix.
The task ahead unfolded in Norway as the Light Blues, having lost their opening two league-phase fixtures, continued their poor form this season.
Captain James Tavernier did not hold back in his scathing assessment of the performance and Rangers' start to the season in which they have won just five out of 19 games in all competitions and sit in sixth place in the table.
The 33-year-old full-back said: "It's just a disgraceful performance, it's as simple as that.
"All the years I have been here, for the consistency of poor performances we are putting in, I haven't experienced it before."
In the Conference League, Crystal Palace slumped to a surprise 1-0 defeat to AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park.
Riad Bajic gave the Cypriot side an unexpected lead in the 51st minute as Palace were caught playing out from the back.
Palace, who won their opening league-phase tie away against Dynamo Kyiv - applied plenty of pressure in the second half but Larnaca goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic made a couple of fine reaction saves to help secure his side a memorable win over the FA Cup winners.
