Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side 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 former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition 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's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line 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 the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
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