Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just 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 one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
