Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third 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 Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
