Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel 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 positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
