Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker 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 Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived 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.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances 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," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
