Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place 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.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
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 Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
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