Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header 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 opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances 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 reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
