Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel 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 good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily 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 goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
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