Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), 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 whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
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