Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," 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 Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
