Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal 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 killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
