Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
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.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
