Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal 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 place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"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 positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
