Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
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 Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
