Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required 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 home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – 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 break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham 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 players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position 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 stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
