Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder 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 convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce 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 Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
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 scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
