Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching 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 Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than 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 Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
