Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages 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 season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
