Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored 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.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
