Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors 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 making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
