Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
