Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice 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.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
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