Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes 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 McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing 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 increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
