Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period 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 great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post 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 that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos 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 came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
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 outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
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 welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
