Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
