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 play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines 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 scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
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 runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope 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've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
