Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to 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 former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.
