Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker 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 City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel 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 good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.