Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker 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 escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings 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 Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
