Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
