Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest 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 clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the votes.
