Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed 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 several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side 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 first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals 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 signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.