Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals 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 a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
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