Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period 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 rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages 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 Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), 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 entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.
