Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker 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 doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.