Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit 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 all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
