Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term 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 a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
