Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header 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 opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good 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 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
