Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals 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 a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
