Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
