Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side 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.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace 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 spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
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