Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- 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.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
