Forest's Striker Scores Twice 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 hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
