Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side 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 shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in 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 turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
