Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages 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 Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off 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 step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall 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 best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
