Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half 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 display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence 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 first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place 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 entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining 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 increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
