Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the votes.
