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

Without the injured Chris Wood, who was nursing a knee injury, his manager was deprived of his most powerful weapon.

The striker scored 53 goals for Dyche at Burnley, and although he has struggled this season, scoring just three times, he remains Forest’s biggest threat.

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

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

Anderson was his usual active and energetic self, allowing Gibbs-White more freedom going forward, flanked by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye.

Broad was used often, even if its final product was sometimes nonexistent.

Nearly £120million summer signings James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Dylan Pacua and Arnaud Kalimuendo were left out of the squad on Saturday and Daichi McAtee and Kalimuendo were recalled to the bench.

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

Perhaps Forest can return to their old ways under Nuno Espirito Santo – compact, counter-attacking, more realistic – faster than adapting to the high-pressing, high-tempo style that Ange Postecoglou wanted to employ.

It certainly seemed easier, with more fight, spirit and courage shown than Postecoglou’s leadership. The Australian could be forgiven for wondering where he has been while in charge.

Ultimately, Forest earned their first clean sheet in 21 games since a 1-0 win over Manchester United in April.

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

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

“The coach said when he came last season that we had a real identity, and he wanted to build on top of that. I’m happy that the boys got the three points and the win.

“You can feel the morale. It’s a more positive feeling and it has to stay that way. That’s credit to the coach. He instilled that in us, and we have to keep that mentality.”