Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team â coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane â but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after â Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently 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 Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
FerencvĂĄros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- JĂșlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
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