Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, 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 stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
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' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
