Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
