Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win 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 slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 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 feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored 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.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
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 host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.
