Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, 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 New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
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