Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
