Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing 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 a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the votes.
