Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
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 dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than 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 one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
