Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect 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.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
