Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming 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 position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes 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 best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.