Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached 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 deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge 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 game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
