Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
