Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition 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 fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face 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 whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
