Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
