Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt 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 turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
