Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
