Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
