Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off 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 European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' 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 unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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