Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period 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 penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros 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 league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
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 reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"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 stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
