Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
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 dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw 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's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack 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' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.