Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors â who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane â but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after â Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James 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 lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. 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."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. MilenkoviÄ: Rating 7.9
FerencvĂĄros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- JĂșlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
