Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored 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 providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, 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 welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
