Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
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 needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
