Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind 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.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
