Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival 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 Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
