Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
