Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker 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 thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
