Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), 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 guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"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 was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
