Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches 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 advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing 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 host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
