Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
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.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
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 scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
