Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder 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 dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They 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 shortly after – Jesus 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 made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, 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 stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace 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 go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
