Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net 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.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery 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 result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally 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 joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye 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 Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the submissions.
