Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached 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 turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty 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 Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
