Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off 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 knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
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 is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive 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 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
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 reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.
