Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright 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 that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
