Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent 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 (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
