Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker 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 the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the votes.
