Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
