Nottingham Forest: Another new era for Forest dawns as Sean Dyche opens with Europa League win

Without the injured Chris Wood, who has been nursing a knee injury, his manager was robbed of his most potent weapon.

The striker scored 53 goals for Dyche at Burnley and despite his struggles this season, scoring just three times, still represents Forest’s biggest threat.

Jesus replaced Taiwo Awoniyi and dropped deep to cause problems for Porto, pulling them out of position, before scoring his third Europa League goal to seal the game from the spot.

Dyche moved to a back four, with centre-backs Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic more comfortable, especially with Elliot Anderson and Douglas Luiz sitting in front of them in midfield.

Anderson was his usual energetic, all-action self, which allowed Gibbs-White more freedom going forward, flanked by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye.

The widemen were utilised often, even if their end product was lacking at times.

Around £120m worth of summer signings in James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Dilane Bakwa and Arnaud Kalimuendo was left out of the squad on Saturday and Dyche recalled McAtee and Kalimuendo to the bench.

Hutchinson, Forest’s £37.5m record signing, was not included in the European squad while Bakwa was injured.

Forest can perhaps slip back into their old ways under Nuno Espirito Santo – compact, counter-attacking and more pragmatic – quicker than adapting to the high press, high-tempo style Ange Postecoglou wanted to employ.

It certainly looked easier, with more fight, spirit and courage shown than under Postecoglou. The Australian could be forgiven for wondering where it was while he was in charge.

It ultimately earned Forest a first clean sheet in 21 matches, since a 1-0 win over Manchester United in April.

“I can finally breathe tonight,” Gibbs-White told TNT Sports. “It has been a difficult couple of months with all the changes and the bad performances, so it was good to get our first win in eight or nine games.

“We are delighted to get the three points and I want to thank the fans for sticking by us.

“The gaffer said when he came in that last season we had a real identity, and he wants to build on top of that. I am just delighted that the boys got the three points and the win.

“You can feel the morale. It feels a lot more positive and it needs to stay like that. That’s credit to the manager. He has instilled that in us, and we have to keep up that mentality.”