Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing 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 switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
