Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
