Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side 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 – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
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 their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
