Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort 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 converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
