Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," 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 Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.
