Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
