Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They 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 shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
