Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side 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 manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
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 eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international 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 response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.
