Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
