Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than 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.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
