Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third 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 Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
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