Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed 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 a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"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 ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
