Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for 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 threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
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