Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored 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 position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
