Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel 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."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward 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 the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
