FC Utrecht 1-2 Nottingham Forest: UEFA Europa League result as Igor Jesus bags late winner off the bench to send Forest up to eighth

Igor Jesus came off the bench to score and help Nottingham Forest beat FC Utrecht 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League.

Sean Dyche would have been hoping for a routine win over a side who had just one point in the competition, but the hosts created plenty of chances in an even, but goalless first half.

However, Forest came out of the blocks quickly in the second period and Arnaud Kalimuendo netted the opener, arrowing a fine finish into the far corner after a lucky break from a mazy run.

Utrecht looked to have tired as the match reached the final 20 minutes, but found an equaliser against the run of play when former Swansea defender Mike van der Hoorn headed home a free-kick to level up.

It looked like Forest would be frustrated on the road once more, but Igor Jesus smashed home a winner with two minutes to go after Dan Ndoye's header was palmed into his path.

It is Forest's first away win in Europe since 1995 and puts them into the top eight for the time being, ahead of the later kick-offs, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Lucy Ward speaking live on TNT Sports: "It's a good result, they made hard work of it at times, and really had to fight hard to get themselves back in front.

"But I think quality told in the end. They defended well and got the result, it's a really important one for Forest as well."

Thomas Hitzlsperger added: "It wasn't always a great watch. The team, you could see the changes that were made. It needs time for everything to click, but to come back, and for the team to believe and go for that win, it will boost their confidence."

Michail Antonio said: "It says something about their quality. He managed to get his second squad, gave opportunities to Kalimuendo, who managed to score, Jesus came on and scored, it showed that he can use his squad, and that's what you need when you're playing in Europe."

Forest may be up to eighth, but are probably going to drop back down to the play-off spots once the evening kick-offs are done and dusted.

However, this is a big win against a Utrecht side that gave absolutely everything.

Elsewhere, Rangers have lost to Ferencvaros. This moment of calamitous defending handed the Hungarian side the winner.

Forest have the ball at the right end of the pitch. Jesus has been fantastic, even after getting the winner.

But Blake is coming forward. Gibbs-White halts the attack with a crucial interception through.

Sangare draws a foul and that should be that.

And there is the full-time whistle! It is Forest's first away win in Europe since 1995 and it puts them into the top eight!

Utrecht corner. The goalkeeper is going up.

And it goes towards Barkas. Forest head it clear but Utrecht stick it back into the mixer before Siebe Hormans blazes his volley over.

Forest are nearly there.

Lucy Ward, speaking on TNT Sports: "That is the feeling [frustration] around this place at the moment. They thought they had the chance to win it late, but Jesus, talk about being in the right place at the right time, inspired substitution by Dyche.

"It's a terrific finish, that's not an easy finish from there.

"Game management. It's not been that good in this game, they haven't kept Utrecht at bay, at arms length. Now they need to for the remaining minutes."

Jesus had been on the pitch for just 86 seconds before scoring. What an impact.

He then does really well to hold the ball up and draw a foul from Zechiel, who gets booked for his troubles.

Six minutes of added time.

Super sub!

Hudson-Odoi does really well to keep it alive at the far post and heads it across to Ndoye.

Ndoye's header is palmed away but it falls straight to Jesus, who keeps his composure to nutmeg Barkas and surely seal all three points for Sean Dyche!

Utrecht with another chance to counter, but Zach Abbott does well to track back and halt Englishman Adrian Blake.

Kalimuendo is subbed off now, and on comes Igor Jesus. Can he be the hero Forest need right now?

Forest haven't really responded to that equaliser yet. El Karouani whips in a cross which is turned around for an Utrecht corner.

It is overhit, and Rodriguez is tackled before he can shoot.

Another Utrecht corner. Milenkovic heads clear.

Well, who saw that coming? Utrecht are 15 minutes away from doubling their points tally.

Morgan Gibbs-White is about to come on for Forest, who are now falling down to 13th as things stand.

And here comes Gibbs-White. he replaces Dominguez, who has had a good game.

Utrecht have a free-kick out wide. El Karouani whips in an inswinging delivery.

And it is van der Hoorn who gets the header at the far post and nods it past Victor!

Out of nowhere, Utrecht are level!

Dominguez and Ndoye link up nicely before the former gets the ball inside the area. He lets loose but it is straight at Barkas.

The wind seems to be knocked out of Utrecht's sails. Perhaps they are just gearing up for a big push in the final ten minutes.

Anderson catches van der Hoorn with a stray elbow when trying to shield the ball and gets a booking for his troubles.

Yoann Catheline tries to break forward on the left flank but is easily dealt with.

Matisse Didden is down injured. His night is over. Didden see that one coming.

Looks like he pulled a hamstring clearing the ball. Mike van der Hoorn, formerly of Swansea, replaces him.

Forest are going for the kill now. Those second half substitutions have reinvigorated the side.

It is another corner. Hudson-Odoi to take.

Sangare rises highest to flick it on at the near post but Kalimuendo his his volley against the outside of the post from the far post!

That goal moves Forest, provisionally at least, up to eighth in the table.

If Forest can hold on to win tonight, Sean Dyche will have won six of his opening 11 games.

Not a bad return when you consider Ange Postecoglou couldn't buy a win to save his job.

For the second match in a row, Arnaud Kalimuendo scores!

Dominguez scampers forward before Hudson-Odoi lays it off for Kalimuendo.

He skips through three Utrecht defenders, getting a couple of lucky breaks, but there is nothing lucky about the finish as he finds the bottom corner from a tight angle

Rodriguez, who was Utrecht's best player in the first half, has just been booked for simulation.

Forest have started the half well and are dominating possession in the first five minutes.

Substitution for Forest at half-time. James McAtee and Douglas Luiz are the two to depart. On come Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson.

And the second half is underway! Can Forest find an opener?