Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing 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 James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.