Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring 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 season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
