Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining 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 pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
