Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest 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.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages 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 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' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown represents the average from all the votes.
