Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection 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 second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side 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 place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender 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 timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals 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 signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
