Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention 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 have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
