Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages 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 campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw 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 result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
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