Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder 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 then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal 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 beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled 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 entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got 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.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
