Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
