Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third 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 the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through 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 – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club 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 Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the votes.
