Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' 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 unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 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 well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.