Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's 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.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.
