Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed 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 needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest 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 shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances 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 response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the mean from all the votes.
