Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest 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 knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived 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.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
