Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel 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 good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus 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 the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
