Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
