Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making 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 navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward 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 outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
