Nottingham Forest’s Igor Jesus fills Chris Wood void, but goals must follow | OneFootball

Igor Jesus has taken on Chris Wood’s role for Nottingham Forest, his bustling display in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City underlining why, but end product remains the priority.

According to NY Times, the Brazilian, five months into a £16 million move from Botafogo, has adapted quickly, unsettling Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol with relentless running and combative hold-up play.

Dias was booked for a cynical first-half foul on Jesus, then tripped him again early in the second half, yet avoided a dismissal, leaving Sean Dyche incredulous.

Forest’s goal came down the left. Gibbs-White combined with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jesus darted into the channel and squared for Omari Hutchinson to finish. Dyche also felt a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White preceded Rayan Cherki’s winner for the visitors.

Pre-match brought a blow as Wood underwent cartilage surgery after a knee issue that has sidelined him since mid-October. His 20 goals helped deliver seventh place last season under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Dyche sees Jesus as a handful who plays hard and fair and is learning fast, but says adding more goals is the next step. In the league he has one goal, and four have arrived in Europe against Real Betis, Porto and Utrecht.

This was Dyche’s fifth defeat in 14 matches, yet one of Forest’s better showings. Pep Guardiola praised Dyche’s work and the quality in Forest’s ranks, highlighting Hutchinson, Igor, Hudson-Odoi, Elliot Anderson and Gibbs-White.

Source: NY Times