Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros 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 making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), 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 players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker 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 superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances 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 the weekend.
"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 ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
