Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), 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 guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
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 their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
