Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored 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 position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
