Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus 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 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the submissions.
