Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
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 – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
