Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
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- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
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