Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
