Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured 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.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached 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 the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game 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 generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
