Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header 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.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than 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 good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
