Forest run riot in Istanbul as Fenerbahçe fall 3-0 behind in Europa League play-off

Nottingham Forest defeated Fenerbahçe 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday evening.

The visitors were presented with the first chance of the evening four minutes into the game, as Omari Hutchinson beat his marker to deliver a cross to the back post which was met by Elliot Anderson, but the Englishman scuffed his volley.

Moments later, Callum Hudson-Odoi latched onto a loose ball from a corner, but his effort flew well over the bar.

At the other end, Mert Muldur sent his header from a corner over the bar as the host mustered their first chance of the evening.

In the 21st minute, Murillo broke the deadlock to give the Tricky Trees the lead as he made his way to the edge of the area and picked out the bottom corner with a bullet.

At the half-hour mark, Morgan Gibbs-White could’ve doubled the visitors’ advantage, but his header from Hudson-Odoi’s cross flew straight into the gloves of Ederson.

Moments later, Fenerbahçe appealed for a penalty when Murillo appeared to have handed the ball in the area, but after a VAR check, nothing was given, much to the frustration of the home side.

In the 43rd minute, Igor Jesus doubled the Tricky Trees’ lead when Anderson’s inswinger cross from a corner was flicked on to the back post by Gibbs-White, and the Brazilian was there to nod home the finish.

Three minutes after the restart, the host almost pulled one back as Sidiki Cherif tried to pick out the top corner, but Stefan Ortega was there to deny him with a brilliant save.

In the 50th minute, Gibbs-White increased the deficit after he was played in behind by Igor Jesus, and the Englishman finished past the onrushing Ederson for Forest’s third.

Minutes later, Marco Asensio pulled one back for the host with an outrageous backheel flick, but his effort was gathered by Ortega.

At the other end, Forest almost got a fourth as Yuksek lost possession in his own box and Dominguez’s curling effort flew over the bar, before Ederson denied Nico Williams to keep Fenerbahçe in the tie.

Forest will hope to see off the tie and proceed to the last 16 of the Europa League when they welcome Fenerbahçe to the City Ground for the second leg of their playoff next week Thursday.