Nottingham Forest improved their chances of progressing into the top eight of the Europa League with a 2-1 away win at Utrecht.
Sean Dyche’s side fought hard against a team that has yet to win in any competition this season, but former Swansea defender Mike van der Hoorn scored the equaliser, and goals from Arnaud Karimendo and Igor Jesus sealed their first away win in Europe since October 1995.
Forest got off to a strong start and at one point it looked like the game would be more about how far they could get past Utrecht than whether they could break the deadlock.
They had eight tries in the first 20 minutes. Vasilis Barkas made a strong save to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi and Douglas Luiz, Oleksandr Zinchenko fired into the face of goal from seven yards out, and Morato’s header deflected off course.
However, Forest’s failure to capitalize on that advantage gave belief to the underdog hosts.
Arnaud Karimendo scores Forest’s first goal.
Miguel Rodriguez showed talent for shooting from long range. A stinging drive was parried away by John Victor, and another shot circled into the air and was saved by Mori’s goalkeeper (standing in for Mats Sells, who missed a hard hit in the groin).
Forest took the lead early in the second half when Karim Endo, who had been largely unknown until then, got past two Utrecht defenders and, thanks to a lucky ricochet, fired a shot past Barkas from a narrow angle.
Utrecht’s energy level dipped after the break, but the scoreline meant they were always in the game, with the unmarked Van der Hoorn heading home at the far post to equalize with just over 15 minutes to play.
Mike van der Hoorn, who spent four seasons with Swansea, scores the equalizer for Utrecht.
Dyche tried to get back to winning ways against Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus, and it eventually paid off.
Gibbs-White found Hudson-Odoi, who selected Dan Ndoye. His header hit Barkas, but the ball went free to Jesus, who pounced on it instantly to score Forest’s vital goal.
Dyche: Forest deserved late win
Nottingham Forest’s Sean Dyche told UEFA:
“We dominated early in the second half. We conceded a goal with a free-kick, but the reaction afterwards was great and the substitutes came on and influenced the game.
“Igor scored the goal and I’m also very happy for Cali. Overall, we deserved the win.”
“We started really well with the ball, really controlled the ball, had a couple of chances and could have taken a one- or two-point lead.
“Then they went back into the game and tested our keeper a few times and used the energy of the crowd to get the ball forward and ask questions.”
Hudson vs. Odoi aiming for Europa League final
Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi told TNT Sport:
“It was difficult. We wanted to maintain a 1-0 lead and see it all the way, but we conceded. It was a sloppy goal on our part and we know that.”
“But the reaction was great and we got the second goal and saw the game end.
“We want to reach the final and win, but we still have a long way to go to get there.
“I wanted goals, you know that, but it’s not always about scoring, it’s about helping the team going forward and defending.
“I’ve been telling myself they’re going to come. Once they come, hopefully they’ll continue to flow well. I’m just enjoying my football. I just have to keep working and keep doing the right things.”
What will happen to Nottingham Forest?
Nottingham Forest will conclude their Europa League league phase campaign at the end of January.
They will travel to Portugal to face Braga on January 22nd and then a week later against Ferencvaros on January 29th.
