Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings 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 the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
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