Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys 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."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.
