Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
