Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement 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 might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.