Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
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 then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
