Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee 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 European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team β coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane β but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later β Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six 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 place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
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