Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
