Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
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 Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
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