Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort 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.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round 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's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge 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 observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the votes.