Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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