Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort 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 then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence 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 (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
