Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against 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 whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.