Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post 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.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence 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 Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
