Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international 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 welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
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