Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort 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 turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for 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 previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack 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 outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the votes.
