Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- 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 concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender 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 backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
