Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored 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 observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
