‘I can finally breathe’ - Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White reacts as Sean Dyche celebrates ‘marvellous’ victory over Porto

React to this story

Both Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White and manager Sean Dyche were delighted with the 2-0 win over Porto in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening at the City Ground. Two penalties - one from Gibbs-White and a second from Igor Jesus - gave them the goals needed to earn three points at the City Ground. Dyche was clear that he considered the win merely the start of the turnaround.

Gibbs-White after Forest win over Porto: 'I feel like I can finally breathe'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White said he felt he could "finally breathe" after his side's 2-0 win over Porto in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

Two penalties gave the home side the victory, with Gibbs-White scoring the first on 19 minutes before Igor Jesus struck with 13 minutes of the match remaining.

After a dire start to the season that saw Nuno Espirito Santo sacked and then Ange Postecoglou last just 39 days as his successor, the win gave Dyche the ideal start as new Forest head coach.

Transfers

Anderson officially signs for Man City - 'One of the biggest clubs in the world'

23/07/2026 at 17:55

Gibbs-White was the subject of interest from Tottenham in the summer but ultimately signed a new deal to stay, and speaking to TNT Sports after the win, his relief was palpable.

"I feel like I can finally breathe," Gibbs-White said. "It's been a difficult couple of months here with all the changes that have happened here, some bad performances. I am so happy to get our first win out of eight, nine games, I think it is.

"To do it here at the City Ground on a European night is incredible, and there's nobody who deserves it more than the stadium and the fans.

"Delighted to get three points on the table. Those three points are for the fans for sticking by us."

Highlights: Forest find form to beat Porto as Dyche gets off to flyer

Video credit: TNT Sports

Asked whether Dyche had given Forest the chance to go back to their previous system used by Nuno, he answered: "That was the first thing the gaffer came in and said.

"He was like, last season you had a real identity, you had a real structure for how you wanted to play.

"He wants to bring that in, and he wants to build on top of that. I think we showed that tonight. We were solid, hard to break down.

"When we went forward we could have been a bit more clinical, a bit better. But we take the three points and we move on.

"It's only been one game, we've only had a few training sessions. But definitely, you can feel the morale in the stadium, you can feel the morale in the group at the minute.

"It feels a lot higher, feels a lot more positive, a lot more energetic. That's how it needs to be, and it needs to stay like that."

'The players have been through a lot'

Dyche was also thrilled with the win and was pleased to give the crowd something to celebrate after several difficult months.

"Marvellous, as you can tell by my throat," he began. "Not used to shouting after a few months out of the game. The players have been through a lot recently, the fans have.

"Just to give something back, put a smile on their faces, but also, the performance. We've had two games with the players. We've crammed a lot in, they've listened.

"They've accepted it, they've delivered it. That's the most pleasing thing for the coaching side and myself. I thank the players for it, because it's not easy.

"They've had another manager come in, different ideas, and they have to accept that very quickly, and they have done with that performance. It's a start, there's a lot more to come, but it's a good start."

Discussing the system he used, Dyche explained: "The defensive shape was good. We know they play with the ball, and they bring it out slowly. We had to be methodical with our shape, but also patient.

"Then try to break up the game when you can. But also, with the ball, we talked about mixing up the game. Can we stretch the game? I thought Igor was terrific tonight.

"We managed to find the balance. They'll get fitter and sharper, the way that we work. No question of the other managers by the way, just the way I like my players fit. I think they will adapt to our training."

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Serie A and Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Premier League