Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck 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 all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), 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 guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
