Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright 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 broke the deadlock in the early stages 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 tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where 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 well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.