Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display 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 post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where 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 whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward 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, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
