Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery 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 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 one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
