Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international 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 their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
