Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached 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 doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James 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: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
