Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal 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 James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest 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 response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.