Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance 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 belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – 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 a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker 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 superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.
