Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
