Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, 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 host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
