Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
