Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal 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 ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
