Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase 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 knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international 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.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.
