Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture 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 performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached 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 added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against 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 whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
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' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
