Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker 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 the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players 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 standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat 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 the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
