Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt 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 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," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
