Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run 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 the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.
