Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, 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 advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck 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.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere 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 good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
