Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker 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 concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield 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 tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
