Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again 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 concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half 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' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals 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 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 constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
