Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win 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.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double 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 providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
