Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"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 stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming 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 spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
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 visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
