Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
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 beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
