Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit 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 then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender 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 eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.
