Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker 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 deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.