Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest 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," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
