Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
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 the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the votes.
