Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded 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 fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header 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.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw 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 result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one 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.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
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