Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the average from all the votes.
