Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos 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 second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan 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 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
