Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal 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 latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest 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 berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
