Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
