Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions 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 place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net 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 campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
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 Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
