Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance 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 – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations 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 box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half 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 position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
