Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for 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 last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
