Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
