Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term 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 providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
