Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
