Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance 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 the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus 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 reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
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