Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- 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 clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header 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 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes 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 watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.