Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
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