Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
