Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable 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 slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations 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 penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily 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 superb finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
