Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
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' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice 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 went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team 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 opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
