Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- 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 command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs 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 assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
