Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent 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 lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side 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 entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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