Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit 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 then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace 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 spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
