Chris Wood told to 'watch his back' after 'quality' Igor Jesus shines in Nottingham Forest Europa League draw against Real Betis

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Igor Jesus netted both goals in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League. The Brazilian striker was handed a start in place of Chris Wood and impressed TNT Sports experts Joe Cole and Michail Antonio. Cole also praised midfielder Elliot Anderson, saying the "sky is the limit" for the England international and comparing him to a former Three Lions great.

Wood needs to 'watch his back' after Jesus stars in Spain

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Michail Antonio has warned Chris Wood that he will have to "watch his back" after Igor Jesus impressed with a two-goal haul for Nottingham Forest against Real Betis.

The 24-year-old Brazilian signed for Forest in the summer from Botafogo and has four goals in his last two starts.

He was preferred to Forest’s regular No. 9 Wood in the UEFA Europa League opener against Betis and delivered with both goals in a 2-2 draw.

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"He looked like a real threat," said former England international Antonio about Jesus on TNT Sports.

"His movement, his hold-up play, he seems big and strong. I feel like he is definitely a quality signing and Chris Wood has to watch his back.

"Two goals against Swansea, two today against a very good Betis, it shows he has the ability to play. I feel he might have got taken off after 63 minutes to rest him and play at the weekend, but I am now thinking he might get the start because performances get you starts, and he has been performing."

Jesus is yet to start a game in the Premier League for Forest as 33-year-old Wood has been preferred.

However, TNT Sports expert Joe Cole thinks the competition for a starting spot is heating up.

"You have to respect what Wood has done the last few years and he is the No. 9," he said. "I would probably go with Wood at the weekend but then you know tonight you have put a rocket up him.

Watch: Jesus sends Forest fans into 'raptures' with quickfire double

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"When you are at a club and you have that competition it can go one of two ways: you can fear it or you can thrive off it and push each other. If they get two strikers at it they will be alright."

Forest have back-to-back home games in the next week as they host Sunderland on Saturday in the Premier League and then Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, with new manager Ange Postecoglou still looking for his first win.

‘Sky is the limit’ for Anderson

Midfielder Elliot Anderson also impressed for Forest in their draw at Betis.

The 22-year-old produced an all-action display that left Cole comparing him to a former England great.

"He was brilliant, particularly in the first half. I have been so impressed with this kid. I watched him play with England Under-21s and he gets better and better.

"Some of the moves he was doing were unbelievable. His power is like [Steven] Gerrard power.

"I think he plays for England at the World Cup, and Forest fans won’t thank me for saying this, but he’s not at this club for a long time. I think he is that good."

Highlights: Antony strikes late as Forest held

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Anderson made his senior England debut in the win against Andorra in early September.

He then started the following game as Thomas Tuchel’s side won 5-0 in Serbia.

"He is a winner," added Cole.

"I can tell there is a belief in him the way he snaps into tackles. As a player I would want Elliott Anderson in a team next to me and I think Thomas Tuchel has seen that and he is in pole position. If he keeps playing like tonight and on this trajectory the sky is the limit for the kid."

Postecoglou: Wins will come if we play like that

Postecoglou has now gone four games without a win since being appointed to replace Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest.

The former Tottenham boss said he was "super proud" of his players’ efforts against Betis and was encouraged by the display.

"I thought our football was outstanding at times in the first half. The only thing I could fault is we didn’t put the game to bed. We should have finished them off in the first half.

"Second half we sat off a bit and had to defend. But I never really felt threatened by it and we had our moments where, with a bit of calm and composure, we could have got our third goal.

"There won’t be many teams that come here and dominate like the way we did in that period. We just needed a third goal.

"I am just disappointed the players and supporters don’t get the rewards for our efforts. They have to keep their heads up because there’s plenty to be positive about and the wins will come if we keep playing football like that."

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