Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings 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 Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. 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."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
