Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward 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' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
