Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
