Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team 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 – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
