Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
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