Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent 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 triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw 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 feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker 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 goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
