Forest dodge fireworks before advancing in UEL

Nottingham Forest players were forced to dodge fireworks thrown on to the pitch by Fenerbahce fans at the start of their Europa League playoff second leg.

Despite losing the game 2-1, Forest still managed to advance to the round of 16 by a 4-2 aggregate final after taking a three-goal lead into the match from the first leg.

Moments after the match kicked off, there was a three-minute delay as sections of a 1,500-strong away crowd at The City Ground launched several fireworks into the Forest penalty area.

Defender Jair Cunha had to take evasive action as he had his back to them and Neco Williams also had to duck as he tried to carry one away.

Fenerbahce defender Archie Brown, who was part of Derby's academy as a youngster, also had to intervene and carry some of the pyrotechnics off the pitch while urging calm from his side's fans.

Forest and the Turkish club could now be set for UEFA punishment.

There was a large police presence outside the City Ground before kickoff as the vociferous fans were marshalled into the stadium.

Forest are 3-0 up from last week's first leg and are set to face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland in the last 16.

But Fenerbahce raised hopes of a comeback by taking the lead in the 22nd minute through Kerem Aktürkoglu -- a goal that was greeted by more fireworks being thrown on to the pitch.

The visitors scored again to bring a possible comeback into focus, but Callum Hudson-Odoi's second-half strike killed off the tie and put Vitor Pereira's side through to the round of 16.

Pereira, who replaced Sean Dyche as coach on Feb. 15, made six changes to his side as he prioritised Sunday's Premier League clash against Brighton.

"We were suffering a bit. But we are in the moment of the season that we need to think not about one game, but about two games, about the next game," the Portuguese said. "It was a risk because I decided to make six changes in the team. If you have one or two changes the players can be in the middle of the others, and you don't miss the quality.

"But when you change six players they aren't used to playing 90 minutes. This is the risk. I decide to take this risk. I decide because I need to think about the Brighton game, because it's very important for us. We need to go there with fuel and energy.

"It is difficult to face them away. My decisions were not just about this game, it was worth thinking about the next game, and was a pity for me, because in my intention was to give confidence for everybody."

Information from PA was used in this report.