Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate 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 away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul 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 (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes 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 position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
