Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead 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 escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, 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 positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
