Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit 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 the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from 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 the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing 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 Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.