Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position 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.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
