Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
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