Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward 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 turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, 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 their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
