Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen 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 then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international 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 welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
