Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
