Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
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 last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
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 welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
