Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans 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 header inside the first 10 minutes 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 a delivery from midfield 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 campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than 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.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
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