MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE DELIVERS BRUTALLY HONEST VITOR PEREIRA VERDICT FOLLOWING FENERBAHCE WIN

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Nottingham Forest delivered a stunning statement in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie, dismantling Turkish giants Fenerbahce with a commanding 3-0 victory away from home.

The City Ground outfit, under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, produced one of their most impressive European performances in recent memory, securing a significant advantage ahead of the return fixture.

Goals from Murillo in the 21st minute, Igor Jesus in the 43rd, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White in the 50th sealed a result that left the home supporters stunned at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

The match highlighted Forest’s growing confidence on the continental stage. Defender Murillo opened the scoring with a powerful header from a well-delivered set-piece, setting the tone for what would become a dominant first half.

Moments before halftime, new signing Igor Jesus doubled the lead with a clinical finish, capitalizing on Fenerbahce’s defensive disarray. Early in the second period, Gibbs-White put the game beyond doubt, slotting home coolly after a swift counter-attack to cap a ruthless display from the visitors.

In the aftermath of the emphatic win, Forest’s talismanic midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White did not hold back in his assessment of Fenerbahce’s under-fire head coach Vitor Pereira.

Speaking post-match, Gibbs-White delivered a brutally honest verdict on the Portuguese tactician’s side, pointing to structural and intensity issues that Forest exploited throughout the evening.

“We knew coming here that they would have moments, but we also knew if we matched their intensity and stayed compact, we could hurt them on the break,” Gibbs-White said. “Honestly, they lacked belief tonight.

Their manager has them playing in a way that doesn’t suit the players they have. There’s no real pattern or aggression when they lose the ball – it’s passive, and that’s why we ran through them so easily at times.

Vitor Pereira is experienced, but tonight his team looked lost tactically. Credit to our lads for smelling blood and going for the kill.”

The Nottingham Forest skipper, who has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most creative forces, was quick to praise his teammates while maintaining a no-nonsense tone about the opposition.

His words carried extra weight given his leadership role and the three points that now give Forest one foot in the next round. The victory not only boosts their European campaign but also sends a message across the continent that the East Midlands club is no longer an easy opponent.

Fenerbahce, despite boasting a squad with significant quality, struggled to create clear chances against a disciplined Forest backline. Pereira’s men appeared rattled after conceding early, and their inability to respond effectively left them facing an uphill battle in the second leg.

For Forest, the clean sheet and three-goal cushion provide breathing space, though Gibbs-White was keen to stress humility.

“We’ve got massive respect for Fenerbahce – they’re a big club with passionate fans – but we came here to win, and we did the job,” he added. “Now it’s about finishing it at home. This result means nothing if we don’t back it up.”

As Forest continue their push on multiple fronts, performances like this underline their progress under Espírito Santo.

Gibbs-White’s candid take on Pereira reflects the confidence coursing through the squad – a side that believes it can compete with anyone when at its best. With the second leg looming, the focus shifts to maintaining that ruthless edge. For now, though, the 3-0 scoreline and Gibbs-White’s unflinching honesty serve as a reminder that Nottingham Forest are very much a force to be reckoned with in Europe.