Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' 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 unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," 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 was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
