Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward 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 Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
