Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright 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.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily 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 generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
