Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes 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 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward 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 the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the average from all the votes.
