Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
