Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright 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.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce 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 manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.
