Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat 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 match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye 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 welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
