Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate 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 visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.
