Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), 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 well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
