Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
