Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
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 beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James 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 lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of 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 feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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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 prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"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 Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
