Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
