Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize 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.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes 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 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope 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 response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
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