Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
