Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition 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's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
