Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
