Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.
