Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
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.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in 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 season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, 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 one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace 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 recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope 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," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
