Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side 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 sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through 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 away team – 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 turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where 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 Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
