Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.