Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 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.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham 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 Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double 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 providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, 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 Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
