Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified 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.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached 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 Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus 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 escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
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 Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. 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
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
