Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes 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 early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far 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 break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is 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 European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism 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 the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
