Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – 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 made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate 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 Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys 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 Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
