Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
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