Globe-trotting Joao Pedro has been praised for his ruthless match-winning mentality.

But Roberto De Zerbi wants him to rest up and be ready to raise his game again.

The Brazil international forced and converted the spot kick which took Albion to a 1-0 win at AEK on Thursday night.

He goal came little more than a week after he was in Rio de Janeiro with his national team.

Since then, he has got off the bench earlier than expected in chilly Nottingham to be his side’s matchwinner at Forest.

De Zerbi said that excused what he felt was below-par performance from the former Watford man.

And he loved the attitude he showed to be the game-changer.

De Zerbi said: “He scored a goal. I think he could play better because his potential is bigger than his performance today.

“But he played in the national team in Brazil.

“He travelled five days ago, a long journey.

“I think today he was a little bit tired.

“But in terms of mentality, of sprit, of personality – because it is very tough scoring a penalty in his stadium – he played a good game.”

De Zerbi started with both Joao Pedro and Evan Ferguson in Athens and will now assess his options to face Chelsea tomorrow.

Albion flew home late on Thursday evening.

The Seagulls boss is due to speak to the media this afternoon ahead of the Stamford Bridge contest.