Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit 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 then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan 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 Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
