Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos 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 escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick 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 the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition 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, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining 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 pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
