Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring 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 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"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.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
