Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
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 back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
