Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came 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 Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
