Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – 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 deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery 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 result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals 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 place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
