Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
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Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
