Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 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 the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box 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 the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
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