Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere 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 good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
