Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.
