Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box 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 might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing 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 excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope 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 response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
