Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
