Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus 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 drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, 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 stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
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