Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second 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 timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
