Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"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.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect 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 watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
