Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered 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 assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game 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 overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
