Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance 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 confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest 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 added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism 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 reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
