Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition 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 fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
