Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
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 Fenerbahce 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 entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.
