Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
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' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
