Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal 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 ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace 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 stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances 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 Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the average from all the votes.
