Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort 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.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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