Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline 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 impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
