Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
