Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward 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 deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest 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 reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
