Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham 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 well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
