Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock 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 back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
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 mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
