Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender 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 sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
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