Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
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' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors 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 reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
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 firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward 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 in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
