Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice 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.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender 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 eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"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 manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
