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 previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel 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 positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
