Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than 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 step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
