Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts 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 performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors â who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane â but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later â Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, 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 good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. MilenkoviÄ: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂșlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
