Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
