Forest set up all-Premier League semi-final after defeating 10-man Porto

Forest set up all-Premier League semi-final after defeating 10-man Porto

Nottingham Forest booked their first European semi-final since 1984 with a narrow 1-0 win at home to ten-men FC Porto.

Vítor Pereira was without Elliot Anderson after the sad passing of his mother but Forest produced a fine display without their star man in midfield.

Indeed, the home side enjoyed a fantastic start to the game when Jan Bednarek received a straight red card for a studs up challenge on Chris Wood – it was accidental from the Polish defender but the decision was a correct one.

Then just five minutes later, Forest made it 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. There was plenty of space for Morgan Gibbs-White to operate before he fired a shot that took a big deflection off of Pablo Rosario to wrong-foot Diogo Costa.

Pereira was forced into a change with Chris Wood, who of course recently returned from injury, having been forced off with Igor Jesus taking his place.

The home side had chances to add to their advantage before the break with Murillo firing just wide from the edge of the area and then Nicolás Domínguez heading just wide.

Despite being down to 10 men the visitors improved in the second half and almost levelled when hit the bar.