Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: 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 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
