Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute 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.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
