Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- 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 group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
