Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions 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 already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came 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' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored 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 the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international 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 the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
