Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #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.
