Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing 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 Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
