Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got 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 recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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