Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus 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 Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
