Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side 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 control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great 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 convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed 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 turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope 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," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
