Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes 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 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals 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 about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
