Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
