Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
