Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw 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 scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace 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.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey 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 pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
