Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus 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 previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
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