Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining 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 increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
