Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display 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 knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, 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 Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
