Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.