Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
