Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes 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 Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
