Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone 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 impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
