Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen 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 dominantly the home side from that point forward.
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 – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest 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 reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
