Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- 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 second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – 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 turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
