Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached 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 deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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