Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, 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 side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 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 goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against 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 entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
